Synthesis and performance of a novel PdCuPb/C nanocatalyst for ethanol electrooxidation in alkaline medium

•Cu was introduced as the main sacrificial element for Pd substitution and deposition.•The novel catalyst can produce abundant oxygenated species on its surface.•PdCuPb/C gave excellent tolerance towards CO-like specie poisoning.•Ethanol oxidation peak current on PdCuPb/C was 1.8 times higher than that on Pd/C.•Catalytic stability of PdCuPb/C for ethanol oxidation was improved.

This work presents fabrication of a novel ternary PdCuPb/C nanocatalyst via reducing Cu2+ and Pb2+ ions on carbon surface followed by Pd2+ ion substitution. X-ray power diffraction, transmission electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammogram, constant potential and linear current sweep tests were used to characterize the catalyst. More Cu relative to Pb was substituted by Pd2+ ions to form the PdCuPb/C catalyst. The three metals were uniformly dispersed on carbon surface. The PdCuPb/C catalyst can produce abundant oxygenated species on its surface for oxidative removal of poisonous intermediates at a low potential. Owing to the promoting effects of the factors above, the PdCuPb/C nanocatalyst exhibited excellent activity for ethanol electrooxidation in alkaline medium. The catalytic stability and anti-poisoning ability were also greatly improved.