Conducting polymer-supported palladium nanoplates for applications in direct alcohol oxidation

• Conducting polymer supported Pd nanoplates show superior electrocatalytic activity.
• The onset potentials Eonset tuned by varying the ethanol and KOH concentration.
• The tafel plot explains mechanism controlled by the adsorption of hydroxyl.

Nanostructured materials play a critical role in the catalysis of various relevant reactions in fuel cells, resulting in enhanced intrinsic electroactivity with high surface area, superior conductivity and better mass transport. The catalytic activity and stability of Pd nanoplates (Pd-NPLs) for the oxidation of ethanol were studied by using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The poly(diphenylbutadyine) (PDPB) polymer nanofiber can be used as support to enhance the catalytic activity of Pd nanoplates for the oxidation of ethanol. The chronoamperometric response confirms the better activity and stability of the nanofiber-based support compared to commercial nafion (5 wt%). The nanofiber morphology of the poly(diphenylbutadyine) polymer helps in the effective dispersion of the Pd nanoplates, facilitating an easier access of ethanol molecules to the catalytic sites. The dispersion of the Pd nanoplates within the polymer nanofibers is connected with an enhancement of the catalytic activity. These results show that the polymer-supported Pd nanoplate based hybrid structure is a promising anode catalyst in direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs).

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