Three-dimensional crumpled graphene as an electro-catalyst support for formic acid electro-oxidation

Abstract

Three-dimensional crumpled graphene (PRGO) was synthesized from graphene oxide (GO) solution by the spay drying method and employed as the support material for the Pd catalyst. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tunnel electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electro-catalytic activity and stability toward formic acid oxidation were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA), which indicated that the Pd/PRGO catalyst exhibits a larger electrochemically active surface area and mass activity as well as higher long term-stability in comparison to the commercial Pd/C and Pd/RGO catalysts. The enhanced catalytic performance is attributed to the high specific surface area of the 3D formation and utilization efficiency of Pd during the oxidation of formic acid.