Novel Raney-like nanoporous Pd catalyst with superior electrocatalytic activity towards ethanol electro-oxidation

A novel Raney-like nanoporous Pd catalyst has been fabricated through the combination of ball-milling with alkali-dealloying strategy. The microstructure of this catalyst has been characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the as-fabricated Raney Pd powders are several microns in size, and each particle exhibits an open, bicontinuous interpenetrating ligament-channel structure with a length scale of 3–7 nm. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that this Raney Pd catalyst has a high electrochemical active surface area and shows remarkable electrocatalytic activity and stability towards ethanol oxidation. Due to the advantages of simple preparation and superior performance, this Raney Pd catalyst can find promising application as a candidate for the anode catalyst of direct ethanol fuel cells.

► Ball-milling and alkali-dealloying of Al-Pd can be used to produce Raney Pd catalyst.
► Powder-shaped configuration provides a high electrochemical active surface area.
► Raney Pd catalyst shows superior activity towards ethanol electro-oxidation.