Pd-C-Fe Nanoparticles Investigated by X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy as Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction

Carbon-supported PdCFe/C catalyst was synthesized by impregnation method. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) revealed the incorporation of C atoms in PdFe/C clusters and high-temperature annealing was facilitated the formation of the Pd-Fe-C alloy. The catalytic activity oxygen operated via reduction reaction (ORR) of Pd-Fe-C alloy demonstrated the strong dependence upon composition of Pd-Fe-C catalysis, the half-wave potential raise with the increase of iron content. A cyclic voltammetry (CV) test conducted in methanol/perchloric acid mixed solution was employed to elucidate the tolerance of PdCFe/C electrocatalysts for methanol, which exhibited the methanol-proof character of PdCFe/C electrocatalysts.