Preparation of PdAg and PdAu nanoparticle-loaded carbon black catalysts and their electrocatalytic activity for the glycerol oxidation reaction in alkaline medium

PdAg and PdAu alloy nanoparticle catalysts for the glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) were prepared at room temperature by a wet method. The molar ratio of the precursors controlled the bulk composition of the PdAg and PdAu alloys, and their surface composition was Ag-enriched and Pd-enriched, respectively. On PdAg-loaded carbon black (PdAg/CB) electrodes, the onset potential of GOR was 0.10-0.15 V more negative than on the Pd/CB electrode due to the electronic effect. The ratio of GOR peak current densities in the backward and forward sweeps of CVs (ib/if) was smaller because of the improved tolerance to the poisoning species. The ratio of the GOR current density at 60 and 5 min (i60/i5) for the PdAg/CB electrodes was higher for more negative potentials than the Pd/CB electrode. In contrast, the PdAu-loaded CB (PdAu/CB) electrodes had an onset potential of GOR similar to the Pd/CB electrode and a higher GOR peak current density owing to the bi-functional effect. However, the ib/if ratio was higher for PdAu/CB because of the increase in ib as the Pd surface was recovered, and the i60/i5 ratio was higher for more positive potentials, similar to the Pd/CB electrode.