Pd3Ni nanoparticles combines carbonized 1,10-phenanthroline modified carbon support: A highly efficient electrocatalyst for enhanced methanol oxidation

•Combine the advantages of Pd-alloy and the nitrogen-functioned support in one.•Showed excellent activity and good stability.•Improved utilization of Pd metal.

To combine the advantages of Pd3Ni alloy nanoparticles with the nitrogen doped carbon support, a novel electrocatalyst of Pd3Ni nanoparticles supported on carbonized 1,10-phenanthroline modified carbon (PMC) (Pd3Ni/PMC) was fabricated. The Raman results show that the graphitization degree of PMC support is higher than conventional carbon support. And the transmission electron microscopy indicates that the PMC supported Pd3Ni nanoparticles (5.4 nm) with face-centered cubic structure are uniformly dispersed on the carbon surface. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates that the PdOads is the main component in Pd3Ni/PMC catalyst. Compared to conventional Pd/C and Pd/PMC catalysts, based on Pd mass, the Pd3Ni/PMC catalyst exhibits larger electrochemical surface area, lower onset potential, better electrocatalytic activity and stability for methanol electrooxidation. Kinetic studies also show that the Pd3Ni/PMC has about a half decrease of apparent activation energy compared to Pd/C counterpart for methanol oxidation. These imply that Pd3Ni nanoparticles loaded on PMC support is promising electrocatalyst candidate for direct methanol fuel cells.

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