The characterization and sodium borohydride electrooxidation of novel carbon nanotube supported copromoted Pd as anode catalyst for fuel cell

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of Co addition on Pd is investigated. Pd/CNT and PdCo/CNT catalysts are prepared via the sodium borohydride (SBH, NaBH4) reduction method. The X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analyses are performed to characterize the PdCo(70-30)/CNT catalyst. These characterization results reveal that Pd/CNT and PdCo/CNT catalysts are prepared successfully. NaBH4 electrooxidation activities of PdCo/CNT catalysts are examined with electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. PdCo(70-30)/CNT catalyst has 11.52 mA/cm(2) specific activity, 477.18 m(2)/g electrochemical active surface area, and the best electrochemical stability. Pd is a promising catalyst for NaBH4 electrooxidation reaction.