Issue 3, 2020

Elucidating the unexpected electrocatalytic activity of nanoscale PdO layers on Pd electrocatalysts towards ethanol oxidation in a basic solution

Abstract

Pd-based catalysts are typically used in many applications; however, the effect of their oxide layer has not been fully investigated to date. Herein, by using experimental and theoretical approaches, we have found that the oxide layer significantly affects the electrocatalytic activity of Pd towards the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in a basic solution. It alters the surface morphology and active sites of the catalyst, leading to different electrochemical kinetics and mechanistic pathways. Nanoscale PdO(101) layers on Pd(111) with the thickness of a few nanometers can strongly bind with ethanol and its intermediate species (i.e., acetaldehyde and acetic acid), leading to high current density being observed electrochemically. Also, the high surface roughness and active sites of the nanoscale PdO(101) layer can stabilize adsorbed intermediates, resulting in high autocatalytic decomposition and leading to overall productivity. This is an expected result since bulk PdO(101) is rather poor in terms of catalytic activity and productivity. Tuning the surface chemistry of metal catalysts with nanoscale oxide layers is a critical process in improving the electrocatalytic activity and productivity.

Graphical abstract: Elucidating the unexpected electrocatalytic activity of nanoscale PdO layers on Pd electrocatalysts towards ethanol oxidation in a basic solution

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
25 محرم 1441
Accepted
15 ربيع الثاني 1441
First published
15 ربيع الثاني 1441

Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 1118-1125

Elucidating the unexpected electrocatalytic activity of nanoscale PdO layers on Pd electrocatalysts towards ethanol oxidation in a basic solution

A. Krittayavathananon, S. Duangdangchote, P. Pannopard, N. Chanlek, S. Sathyamoorthi, J. Limtrakul and M. Sawangphruk, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020, 4, 1118 DOI: 10.1039/C9SE00848A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements