Facile one-pot synthesis of Pd–PEDOT/graphene nanocomposites with hierarchical structure and high electrocatalytic performance for ethanol oxidation

Abstract

Nanocomposites comprised of Pd nanoparticles, PEDOT nanospheres and graphene (Pd–PEDOT/GE) have been facilely prepared by a one-pot method, and their superior electrocatalytic performance for ethanol oxidation is reported here. Pd nanoparticles with a mean diameter of ∼3.6 nm are uniformly dispersed on/in PEDOT nanospheres (∼80 nm) and on GE, and then the Pd-decorated PEDOT nanospheres also anchor on the surface of GE building a porous three-dimensional hierarchical structure. Besides being used as the support of Pd nanoparticles, the presence of PEDOT nanospheres can also avoid the agglomeration of GE during the NaBH₄ reduction process, and the introduced GE can not only enhance the relationship between PEDOT nanospheres but also accelerate the charge transfer between the surface of the catalyst and the electrolyte. Electrochemical tests indicate that the Pd–PEDOT/GE nanocomposites exhibit high electrocatalytic activity, high stability and enhanced CO-antipoisoning ability toward ethanol oxidation in alkaline medium, which are mainly ascribed to the better dispersion of Pd nanoparticles on/in PEDOT nanospheres and on GE and the synergetic effect between Pd nanoparticles and PEDOT. Herein, there is a promising application prospect for the prepared Pd–PEDOT/GE nanocomposites as an electrocatalyst in direct ethanol alkaline fuel cells.