Electroreduction of nitrous oxide on platinum and palladium: Toward selective catalysts for methanol-nitrous oxide mixed-reactant fuel cells

► Detailed study of N2O electroreduction in 0.1 M NaOH on Pd and Pt in the presence and absence of methanol. ► Pd is more active for N2O electroreduction than Pt and its activity is not significantly affected by the presence of 1 M methanol in the electrolyte. ► Pt retains selectivity toward methanol oxidation in the presence of N2O.