A two step method to synthesize palladium–copper nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide and their extremely high electrocatalytic activity for the electrooxidation of methanol and ethanol
Abstract Palladium–copper nanoparticles (Pd–Cu NPs) supported on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) with different Pd/Cu ratios (Pd–Cu/RGO) were prepared by a two step method. The Pd–Cu/RGO hybrids were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used to investigate the electrochemical activities and stabilities of the Pd–Cu/RGO catalysts for the electro-oxidation of methanol and ethanol in alkaline media. The Pd–Cu/RGO catalysts exhibited high catalytic activities and good stabilities. This is because the catalysts have a bimetallic structure consisting of a small Pd–Cu core surrounded by a thin Pd-rich shell which improves the catalytic activities of the Pd–Cu/RGO hybrids. Thus they should be useful in direct methanol and ethanol fuel cells.