Pt/C and Pd/C catalysts promoted by Au for glycerol and CO electrooxidation in alkaline medium

Abstract

This study investigated Pt/C and Pd/C catalysts promoted by Au for glycerol electrooxidation in alkaline medium. The results show that addition of Au can significantly promote the catalytic activity and stability of Pt/C and Pd/C for glycerol electrooxidation. The catalysts with a weight ratio of 4:1 for Pt to Au and Pd to Au show the best performance for glycerol electrooxidation and the PtAu(wt 4:1)/C shows a better performance than the PdAu(wt 4:1)/C. Glycerol electrooxidation on the PdAu(wt 4:1)/C has a better stability than that on the Pt/C. The results show that the PdAu(wt 4:1)/C can give a better discharge performance than the Pt/C in a direct glycerol fuel cell. Electrooxidation of pre-adsorbed CO has been used to explain the results.