Palladium/titanium dioxide nanofibers for glycerol electrooxidation in alkaline medium

Highly conductive palladium/titanium dioxide (Pd/TiO2) nanofibers have been successfully fabricated by electroless-plating Pd on the electrospun TiO2 nanofibers. The application of Pd/TiO2 nanofibers for electrooxidation of glycerol was demonstrated. The results showed that Pd/TiO2 nanofibers can greatly promote glycerol electrooxidation in alkaline medium, and both glycerol and KOH concentrations had an effect on the peak current density and the peak potential. The mechanism of desorption of poisoning intermediate was discussed by changing the upper potential limit. The application of the Pd/TiO2 nanofibers for electrooxidation of methanol, ethylene glycol, and 1,2-propanediol was also demonstrated.