Ethanol electrooxidation on high-performance mesoporous ZnFe2O4-supported palladium nanoparticles

Abstract

As a catalyst for the electrooxidation of ethanol, a well-dispersed mesoporous ZnFe₂O₄ powder (ZnFe₂O₄MP) as a support for Pd nanoparticles (PdNPs) was fabricated using solution combustion synthesis, which is an easy and environmentally friendly method. The morphology and structure of ZnFe₂O₄MP were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and N₂ adsorption/desorption analysis. Mesopore sizes of ZnFe₂O₄MP were mainly in the range of 2–19 nm. Subsequently, PdNPs were reduced on the surface and into the pores of ZnFe₂O₄MP. The behaviors and electrocatalytic abilities of ZnFe₂O₄MP, PdNPs and PdNPs–ZnFe₂O₄MP were compared using electrochemical techniques. An electrochemically active surface area of 64.54 m² g⁻¹ was shown for PdNPs–ZnFe₂O₄MP. The incorporation of ZnFe₂O₄MP as a support for nanocomposites improved the electrocatalytic ability of PdNPs with decrease in the onset potential and increase in the current.