MnO2 modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes supported Pd nanoparticles for methanol electro-oxidation in alkaline media

A novel method to prepare MnO2 modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MnO2/MWCNTs) supported Pd (Pd-MnO2/MWCNTs) electrocatalyst is reported. The morphology, component and crystallinity of the catalyst were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The activity of Pd-MnO2/MWCNTs was tested using methanol electro-oxidation in alkaline media. The results showed that the Pd-MnO2/MWCNTs exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity and stability than Pd/MWCNTs and Pd/Vulcan (Pd/commercial Vulcan XC-72 carbon black).