Palladium nanoparticles supported on carbon black powder as an effective anodic catalyst for application in a direct glucose alkaline fuel cell

Palladium nanoparticles supported on carbon black powder (Vulcan XC-72) nanocomposite (Pd/C) were synthesized as the catalyst for the anodic oxidation of glucose for use in a direct glucose alkaline fuel cell (DGAFC). Characterization of the catalyst was carried out using physical and electrochemical methods. It was observed that Palladium nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed onto the carbon black powder nanocomposite support. The catalytic properties of the catalyst for glucose electro-oxidation were studied using electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Cyclic voltammetry shows that this catalysts exhibited high electro catalytic activity for glucose oxidation. The Pd/Vulcan XC-72 /glassy carbon electrode exhibited a well-defined catalytic oxidation peak current increasing linearly with an increase in the glucose concentration in the range of 10 mM to 60 mM. Chronoamperometry indicated that Pd/Vulcan XC-72 exhibits a steady state activity for glucose oxidation. Results show that the prepared Pd/Vulcan XC-72 is an effective anodic catalyst toward glucose electro-oxidation. Therefore, this electrode is a good candidate for application in direct glucose alkaline fuel cells.