Electrocatalytic activity of binary and ternary composite films of Pd, MWCNT and Ni, Part II: Methanol electrooxidation in 1 M KOH

Binary and ternary composite films of Pd, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Ni have been obtained on glassy carbon electrodes and investigated for electrocatalysis of methanol oxidation in 1 M KOH. It is observed that small addition (1–5%) of MWCNTs to Pd increases the apparent electrocatalytic activity of the electrode considerably, the magnitude of enhancement, however, being the greatest (5–8 times) with 1% MWCNT. 1% Ni introduction to the active Pd–1% MWCNT electrode increased the apparent electrocatalytic activity by 1.4–1.7 times further. Among the electrodes investigated, the Pd–1% MWCNT–1% Ni composite electrode has the greatest apparent electrocatalytic activity. The enhanced electrocatalytic activity of the electrodes is ascribed to their improved geometrical as well as electronic properties.