Electrospun Palladium Nanoparticle-Loaded Carbon Nanofiber for Methanol Electro-oxidation

Pd nanoparticle-loaded carbon nanofiber composite (Pd/CNF) was prepared via electrospinning and following carbonization treatment. Thanks to this method, the synthesis of CNF and loading Pd nanoparticles were integrated into a simple one-step, and the CNF support did not suffer from any surface functionalization treatment and could keep the robust framework. The morphology and structure of Pd/CNF were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that uniform Pd nanoparticles were firmly embedded in CNF with face-centered cubic structure. Compared with the commercial Pd/C catalyst, the as-prepared Pd/CNF exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity and better stability toward methanol oxidation.

Pd nanoparticle-loaded carbon nanofiber composite (Pd/CNF) was prepared via electrospinning and following carbonization treatment. The electro-oxidation methanol on Pd/CNF paste (PdCFP) electrode was controlled by a diffusion process. PdCFP electrode exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic performance toward methanol electro-oxidation in terms of activity and stability.