Carbon Supported Au-Pd-PdO with Low Metal Loading for Electro-oxidation of Methanol in Alkaline Medium

摘要

The present work examined two Pd-based alloys supported on carbon: AuPd and Au2Pd, both synthesized by chemical reduction with NaBH4. The low Au-Pd loading electrocatalysts were physicochemically and electrochemically characterized. Electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation was found exclusively in AuPd/C. However, it was revealed that such reaction was promoted by PdO occurring in the actual active phase of the supported electrocatalyst, through the formation of Au-Pd-PdO ensemble sites.