Palladium Alloys as Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalysts

In this research, we report a simple method for preparation of Palladium-based alloy electrocatalysts for cathodes in fuel cells. The morphology and structure of the electrocatalysts have been well characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX). It is found that the electrochemical active surface areas of the as-prepared electrocatalysts are higher than the Pd/C. Remarkably, the Pd-based alloys exhibit much higher activity and methanol tolerance for the oxygen reduction reaction in comparison with the Pd/C. The reported results reveal that such alloys with outstanding catalytic activity and durability can also be used in fuel cells as a more suitable cathode catalyst than Pd/C.