Nandan, Ravi and Nanda, KK (2017) A unique approach to designing resilient bi-functional nano-electrocatalysts based on ultrafine bimetallic nanoparticles dispersed in carbon nanospheres. In: Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 5 (21). pp. 10544-10553. ISSN 2050-7488
PDF
jou_mat_che_A_5-21_10544-10553_2017.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (5MB) | Request a copy |
||
|
PDF
Supplementary_jou_mat_che_A_5-21_10544-10553_2017.pdf - Published Version Download (5MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Activity and stability are the key issues for any catalyst. Importantly, the synthesis of catalysts should be facile. Here, we report one-step facile electroless synthesis of ultrafine bimetallic PdPt nanoparticles (∼2 nm) dispersed in hetero-atom doped hollow carbon nanospheres (HCNSs) and PdPt nanoparticles in carbon nanostructures (CNSs) as highly active and stable electrocatalysts for electro-oxidation/-reduction of low molecular weight alcohols such as methanol and ethanol/of oxygen. HCNSs inhibit some of the electrochemical degradation pathways such as migration, agglomeration, isolation and detachment of nanoparticles. The superior mass activity of ultrafine PdPt nanoparticles for methanol/ethanol electro-oxidation (12-/8-fold), excellent operational stability, and high Jf/Jb ratio over commercially available state-of-the-art Pt-C (20 wt%) make them a potential fuel cell anode catalyst. The activity is further improved when PdPt-HCNS and PdPt-CNS are taken together suggesting a synergistic effect. Further, oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) study with embedded nanostructures exhibits a positive ORR peak potential, positive on-set potential (ΔEon-set ∼ -50 mV) & half-wave potential (ΔE1/2 ∼ -25 mV), low Tafel slope (53 mV dec-1), enhanced current density and superior stability compared to that of Pt-C along with preferential 4e- ORR pathways. Overall, the catalyst reported here is a potential anode and cathode catalyst for direct alcohol alkaline as well as hydrogen fuel cells.
Item Type: | Journal Article |
---|---|
Publication: | Journal of Materials Chemistry A |
Publisher: | Royal Society of Chemistry |
Additional Information: | The Copyright of this article belongs to the Royal Society of Chemistry |
Keywords: | Alkaline fuel cells; Anodes; Binary alloys; Catalyst activity; Catalysts; Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFC); Electrocatalysts; Electrodes; Electrolytic reduction; Electrooxidation; Fuel cells; Molecular oxygen; Nanoparticles; Nanostructures; Palladium alloys; Platinum; Platinum alloys; Reduction; Slope stability; Synthesis (chemical); Bimetallic nanoparticles; Carbon Nanostructures; Electrochemical degradation; Electroless synthesis; Hollow carbon nanospheres; Low molecular weight alcohols; Operational stability; Oxygen reduction reaction; Nanospheres |
Department/Centre: | Division of Chemical Sciences > Materials Research Centre |
Date Deposited: | 01 Jun 2022 05:39 |
Last Modified: | 01 Jun 2022 05:39 |
URI: | https://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/72988 |
Actions (login required)
View Item |