Enhanced methanol electrooxidation by electroactivated Pd/Ni(OH)2/N-rGO catalyst


Moazzami N., Khadempir S., Karimi-Maleh H., Karimi F., KARAMAN C.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol.48, no.17, pp.6680-6690, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 48 Issue: 17
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.01.248
  • Journal Name: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Artic & Antarctic Regions, Chemical Abstracts Core, Communication Abstracts, Environment Index, INSPEC
  • Page Numbers: pp.6680-6690
  • Keywords: Direct methanol fuel cells, Electroactivation, Hybrid electrocatalyst, Methanol oxidation, Nitrogen doped graphene
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

© 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLCDirect methanol fuel cells, in which electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol takes place, are one of the most promising technologies for facilitating the shift to renewable energy sources. However, they still suffer from high-catalyst-prices, as well as sluggish kinetics of methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). Therefore, herein, palladium/Nickel(II) hydroxide/nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide (Pd/Ni(OH)2/N-rGO) hybrid was fabricated via facile two-step solution method and utilized as electrocatalyst for MOR. The in-situ electrochemical activation pre-treatment was proposed to engineer a highly active electrocatalyst. The Pd/Ni(OH)2/N-rGO, which had distinctive structural features along with robust synergistic effects, outperformed the commercial Pd electrocatalyst in terms of catalytic activity towards MOR, with elevated anodic peak current density values. The in-situ electrochemical activation pre-treatment lead to 3.3, 3.0, and 2.0-fold increase in activity of Pd/Ni(OH)2/N-rGO, Pd/N-rGO, and Pd/C, respectively. This research lays the door for a unique technique to manufacture high-performance, low-cost electrocatalysts that might be used in fuel cell technology instead of existing Pd electrocatalysts.