Electrocatalytic oxidation of ethylene glycol at palladium-bimetallic nanocatalysts (PdSn and PdNi) supported on sulfonate-functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes

摘要

Electrocatalytic oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG) in alkaline medium using nano-scaled palladium-based bimetallic catalysts (PdM, where M = Ni and Sn) supported on sulfonated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SF-MWCNTs) is compared. The bimetallic mixture (i.e., SF-MWCNT–PdSn_(mix) and SF-MWCNT–PdNi_(mix)) showed better electrocatalysis towards EG oxidation than the SF-MWCNT–Pd. At the SF-MWCNT–PdSn_(mix) platform, oxidation of EG occurred at lower onset and peak potentials, higher current density, and faster kinetics (lower impedance) than at the SF-MWCNT–PdNi_(mix) platform. EG oxidation at the SF-MWCNT–PdNi_(mix) is more stable than at the SF-MWCNT–PdSn_(mix). Indeed, Sn is a more favoured cocatalyst with Pd in EG electro-oxidation.