Rational design of PdCu nanoparticles supported on a templated Ni foam: The cooperation effect of morphology and composition for electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol

Abstract

In this study, with the goal of the production of a cost effective anode for ethanol oxidation, the surface of Ni foam is covered with templated PdCu nanoparticles via the galvanic replacement reaction. The use of the templating method results in the uniform formation of the spongiform bimetallic structure on the surface of Ni foam. The role of the templating method in the synthesis of a stable catalyst towards dealloying process is considered by the electrochemical pretreatment of t-PdCu/NF and PdCu/NF in H2SO4 solution. The excellent stability of t-PdCu/NF for ethanol oxidation in the alkaline media is proved by the achievement in the steady state after 14 s with survival of 60% current density and 12% increase in the current density after 100 consecutive cycles. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy gives evidence that the templating method and elemental composition cooperate in the improvement of the reactant diffusion and charge transfer on the surface of the synthesized catalyst. Finally, the mechanism of the ethanol oxidation and the effect of morphology and composition on this mechanism are studied using the cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry methods.