Pd nanofilm supported on C@TiO2 nanocone core/shell nanoarrays: A facile preparation of high performance electrocatalyst for H2O2 electroreduction in acid medium

A new facile preparation of three-dimensional (3D) electrode (Pd NF-C@TiO2) that Pd nanofilm supported on the nanoarrays consisting of carbon coating TiO2 nanocones (C@TiO2) is reported. The synthesis of electrode involves the fabrication of C@TiO2 through a thermal evaporation method, followed by electrodeposition of Pd nanofilm. The morphology and structure of the as-prepared electrode are characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The open 3D electrode shows a unique open structure allowing the full utilization of Pd surface active sites. Electrochemical methods including linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometry are used to examine the catalytic activity of the electrode for H2O2 electroreduction in H2SO4 solution. Results reveal that the electrode exhibits significantly higher catalytic activity than the conventional electrode made with commercial Pd/C powder. At the potential of 0 V in 2.0 mol L−1 H2O2 + 2.0 mol L−1 H2SO4, the reduction current density of 0.415 A cm−2 is successfully achieved and displayed a slight decrease within 1000 s test period, which exhibits high catalytic activity and the superior stability of Pd NF-C@TiO2 electrode for H2O2 electroreduction in acid medium.