Enhanced electrocatalytic performance for isopropanol oxidation on Pd–Au nanoparticles dispersed on poly(p-phenylene) prepared from biphenyl

Poly(p-phenylene) (PPP) films with good electrochemical activity and good thermal stability were synthesized by a low-potential electrochemical polymerization of biphenyl in pure boron trifluoride diethyl etherate. As-formed PPP film was firstly used as a catalyst support. Pd–Au nanoparticles were successfully electro-deposited on PPP films (namely, Pd–Au/PPP) and used for the electrooxidation of isopropanol in alkaline media. The Pd–Au/PPP composite catalyst shows a high electrochemical active surface area in the hydrogen adsorption potential region. The results for isopropanol oxidation indicate that Pd–Au/PPP have higher catalytic activity and stronger poisoning-resistance than the Pd–Au deposited on the bare electrode. Furthermore, the role of PPP in the composite catalyst and supplemental effect are discussed. The present study evidences that Pd–Au/PPP is a promising choice as a composite catalyst for isopropanol electrooxidation in alkaline medium.