Synthesis of a carbon-coated NiO/MgO core/shell nanocomposite as a Pd electro-catalyst support for ethanol oxidation

Carbon coated on NiO/MgO in a core/shell nanostructure was synthesized by the single-step RAPET (reaction under autogenic pressure at elevated temperatures) technique, and the obtained formation mechanism of the core/shell nanocomposite was presented. The carbon-coated NiO/MgO and its supported Pd catalyst, Pd/(NiO/MgO@C), were characterized by SEM, HR-TEM, XRD and cyclic voltammetry. The X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the face-centered cubic crystal structure of NiO/MgO. Raman spectroscopy measurements provided structural evidence for the formation of a NiO/MgO composite and the nature of the coated carbon shell. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images showed the core and shell morphologies individually. The electrocatalytic properties of the Pd/(NiO/MgO@C) catalyst for ethanol oxidation were investigated in an alkaline solution. The results indicated that the prepared Pd–NiO/MgO@C catalyst has excellent electrocatalytic activity and stability.

► Carbon coated on NiO/MgO in a core/shell nanostructure is synthesized by RAPET.
► The carbon-coated NiO/MgO is supported by Pd.
► The electrocatalytic properties of the Pd/(NiO/MgO@C) catalyst for ethanol oxidation studied.