Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity of Methanol and Ethanol Oxidation in Alkaline Medium at Bimetallic Nanoparticles Electrochemically Decorated Fullerene‐C60 Nanocomposite Electrocatalyst: An Efficient Anode Material for Alcohol Fuel Cell Applications

Abstract

AbstractDirect alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) have been recently playing a pivotal role in electrochemical energy sources and portable electronics. Research in DAFCs has proceeded to engage major attention due to their high catalytic activity, long‐term stability, portability, and low cost. Herein, we present a facile surfactant‐free route to anchor bimetallic Pd−W nanoparticles supported fullerene‐C60 catalyst (Pd‐W@Fullerene‐C60) for high‐performance electrooxidation of alcohols (methanol & ethanol) for DAFCs applications. Structural, elemental composition, and morphological analysis of the proposed catalyst were carried out using UV‐Vis spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). Electrochemical properties such as electrochemical activity, electrochemical active surface area (ECSA), and long‐term stability of the Pd‐W@Fullerene‐C60 catalyst for ethanol and methanol oxidation in the alkaline medium were explored by using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and chronoamperometry (CA). Results revealed that the proposed catalyst showed enlarged ECSA, tremendous electrocatalytic activity, high poison tolerance limit, good reproducibility, and enhanced long‐term stability as compared to the monometallic catalyst and commercially available catalyst (Pt/C) towards ethanol and methanol oxidation reaction. This enhanced potentiality of the Pd‐W@Fullerene‐C60 catalyst is due to the synergistic effect of W−Pd nanoparticles and excellent electron kinetic from fullerene support material. These findings strongly suggest the Pd‐W@Fullerene‐C60 catalyst as potential anode material for the alcohol oxidation reaction.