Pd doped Co3O4 nanowire array as the H2O2 electroreduction catalyst

Abstract

Co3O4 nanowire arrays freely standing on Ti foil (Co3O4/Ti) are prepared via a template-free growth method. Pd nanoparticles are electrochemically deposited by cyclic voltammetry method on Co3O4 nanowires to obtain a nanocomposite electrode (Pd@Co3O4/Ti). The morphology and phase structure of the Pd@Co3O4/Ti electrode are characterized by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction spectrometer. The catalytic activity of H2O2 electroreduction on the Pd@Co3O4/Ti electrode in alkaline medium is evaluated by means of linear scan voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The Pd@Co3O4/Ti electrode exhibits high performance and good stability to H2O2 electroreduction with a current density of 145.8 mA cm−2 at −0.4 V in 3.0 mol dm−3 KOH and 0.4 mol dm−3 H2O2 electrolyte, which outperforms the bare Co3O4 nanowire arrays without Pd doping.