Facile synthesis of reduced graphene oxide supported Pd@NixB/RGO nanocomposite: Novel electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media

• Pd@NixB/RGO nanocomposite was synthesized by a facile and green method.
• SEM and TEM images clearly depicts the formation of spherical and monodisperse Pd@NixB NPs on RGO support.
• CV measurement shows that the high electrocatalytic response towards the ethanol oxidation in alkaline media.
• After, 50th cycle of CV current density was increased, exhibited the stability of Pd@NixB/RGO nanocomposite during EOR.

A novel catalyst, palladium on nickel boride supported with reduced graphene oxide abbreviated as Pd@NixB/RGO nanocomposite was synthesized by a facile method. NixB and RGO were synthesized by a single step via the simultaneous reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and Ni2+ ions in presence of alkaline sodium borohydride (NaBH4, pH at 12.5). In the next step, Pd nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized on the surface of NixB/RGO in presence of anhydrous methanol (CH3OH) without using any specific reducing agents, which led the formation of small Pd NPs with homogeneous size distribution, suggesting the facile and green synthesis of the nanocomposite. The structure and morphology of Pd@NixB/RGO nanocomposite were characterized by several techniques. Cyclic voltammetric (CV) measurements of Pd@NixB/RGO nanocomposite towards ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) show their promising electrocatalytic behaviour. CV shows the high current density which was modified and increased upon cycling after 50 cycle, which indicates the high catalytic activity and CO tolerance capability when compared to the unsupported Pd@NixB NPs. Further, chronoamperometric (CA) measurements show the higher stability of the Pd@NixB/RGO nanocomposite compare to the Pd@NixB NPs.

A novel catalyst, Pd@NixB/RGO nanocomposite was synthesized by a facile method. In first step, NixB and RGO were synthesized via the simultaneous reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and Ni2+ ions. In next step, Pd nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized on surface of NixB/RGO in presence of anhydrous methanol (CH3OH) which led the formation of small Pd NPs with homogeneous size distribution, suggests the facile and green synthesis of nanocomposite. CV shows the high current density which was modified and increased after 50th cycle. CA measurement shows the better catalytic activity and stability of the Pd@NixB/RGO nanocomposite compare to the Pd@NixB NPs.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide