PdNi alloys as efficient catalysts for alcohol oxidation

Abstract

The investigated PdNi alloys were prepared by electrochemical procedures through simultaneous deposition of metals from the mixed solutions of their precursors (0.01M PdCl2 + 0.6MNiCl2 + 2 MNH4Cl). Electrodeposited PdNi samples were tested for methanol and ethanol oxidation reaction (MOR and EOR) in alkaline solution using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometric (CA) measurements. Investigation of MOR and EOR on electrodeposited PdNi alloys show that the magnitude of the currents increases as a function of palladium content. Comparative study of alcohol electrooxidation in the alkaline solution reveals that Pd0.74Ni0.26 alloy has a higher catalytic activity, better tolerance to accumulation of carbonaceous species among the studied electrodes and good durability.