Hierarchical Nanostructured Pd/Co3N‐Ni3N as an Efficient Catalyst for Ethanol Electrooxidation in Alkaline Media

Abstract

AbstractCreating synergistic active sites via combination of palladium (Pd) or platinum (Pt) with oxophilic metal compounds has been extensively investigated as a promising approach for developing active and robust electrocatalysts toward the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). Among the metal compounds of choice, transition metal nitrides are highly appealing but less well explored candidates. Herein, the synthesis of a carbon fiber cloth (CFC)‐supported Pd/Co3N‐Ni3N nanocomposite catalyst using a hydrothermal method followed by ammonization treatment and electrochemical deposition is reported. The study found that incorporation of Co3N‐Ni3N of metallic nature can effectively improve the durability of Pd catalyst toward the EOR in alkaline condition and meanwhile preserve good electrical conductivity of the electrocatalyst. Furthermore, the high surface area of nanostructured Co3N‐Ni3N promises the exposure of abundant accessible active sites and a favorable reactant/product mass transfer kinetics. Benefiting from these favorable attributes, the Pd/Co3N‐Ni3N/CFC catalyst exhibits high activity and improved durability toward the EOR in alkaline conditions, which compares favorably with most self‐supported EOR electrocatalysts reported up to date.