Abstract
This study investigates the most effective electrocatalyst for glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) in alkaline medium for five synthesized electrocatalysts, Pd, PdNi, PdNiO, PdMn3O4 and PdMn3O4NiO, supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) prepared using the polyol method. The particle size and crystalline size of the electrocatalysts were determined using HR-TEM and XRD techniques, respectively, while EDS was used to determine the elemental composition. XRD showed crystalline sizes ranging from 3.4 to 10.1 nm, while HR-TEM revealed particle sizes within the range of 3.4 and 7.2 nm. The electroactivity, electron kinetics and stability of the electrocatalysts towards glycerol in alkaline medium was evaluated using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and chronoamperometry (CA), respectively, while the electroactive surface area (ECSA) of the electrocatalysts was determined using cyclic voltammetry (CV). The metal oxide-based Pd electrocatalysts PdNiO and PdMn3O4 were the most electrochemically active, while the addition of the second metal oxide to the Pd electrocatalyst PdMn3O4NiO did not show any improvement. This was associated with this electrocatalyst having the highest particle and crystalline sizes.
Highlights
IntroductionLiquid fuels (ethanol, glycerol, ethylene glycol) among others have been researched as fuels for low-temperature fuel cells, because of their non-toxic green fuel that is readily produced from renewable resources
Liquid fuels among others have been researched as fuels for low-temperature fuel cells, because of their non-toxic green fuel that is readily produced from renewable resources
It is found that the metal oxide-based electrocatalysts present enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards glycerol oxidation compared to Pd and PdNi on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) support
Summary
Liquid fuels (ethanol, glycerol, ethylene glycol) among others have been researched as fuels for low-temperature fuel cells, because of their non-toxic green fuel that is readily produced from renewable resources. Pt and Pt-based electrocatalysts have been substantially considered for alcohol oxidation due to their effective electro-activity [3,4,5], but the cost of Pt and the presence of CO as an intermediate during the oxidation of alcohols on Pt-based electrocatalysts leading to the decrease in electrocatalytic activity has severely limited their use [6,7]. This had prompted the advancement of different electrocatalysts, for example, Pd, Ni, Ag, and perovskite-type oxides, to improve the oxidation
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