Photoreduction preparation of PdPt/P2W18/rGO nanocomposites for alcohol electrooxidation

Abstract

Herein, palladium–platinum nanoparticles were assembled onto the surface of reduced graphene oxide with the assistance of polyoxometalate K₆P₂W₁₈O₆₂ (abbreviated as P₂W₁₈) as a photocatalyst via a facile and green photoreduction route. The as-prepared nanocomposites were investigated by various characterization techniques, including transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Motivated by the development of an anode electrocatalyst for direct alcohol fuel cells, the assembled nanocomposite was developed as an electrocatalyst towards the electrooxidation of alcohol in an alkaline electrolyte. Results show that the fabricated PdPt/P₂W₁₈/rGO nanocomposite exhibits enhanced electrocatalytic mass activity and stability compared with the commercial 10% Pd/C catalyst, indicating its potential practical prospect in fuel cell applications. The proposed fabrication approach can also be extended to the photoreduction preparation of other Pd alloys with the assistance of other polyoxometalates and may expand its application to other fields.