The green synthesis of ultrafine palladium–phosphorus alloyed nanoparticles anchored on polydopamine functionalized graphene used as an excellent electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation

Abstract

A new catalyst, consisting of ultrafine Pd–P alloyed nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on polydopamine functionalized graphene (Pd–P/PDA-GS), was fabricated by a green, facile and surfactant free method. The mussel-inspired molecular dopamine self-assembled into PDA on the surface of graphene nanosheets (GSs) at room temperature to structure the carrier. The ultrafine Pd–P alloyed NPs were anchored in situ on the PDA-GS with good distribution at room temperature. Due to the synergistic action of PDA, P and Pd, the new catalyst demonstrates enhanced electrocatalytic performance, accelerated kinetics and enhanced stability for ethanol electrocatalytic oxidation reaction (EOR) compared with other tested catalysts. Moreover, the optimal molar ratio of Pd to P precursors (K₂PdCl₄ aqueous solution and NaH₂PO₂ solution) is approximately 3 : 1 according to the study of the ratio of Pd to P precursors.