Multisource synergistic electrocatalytic oxidation effect of strongly coupled PdM (M=Sn, Pb)/N-doped graphene nanocomposite on small organic molecules

Abstract

A series of palladium-based catalysts of metal alloying (Sn, Pb) and/or (N-doped) graphene support with regular enhanced electrocatalytic activity were investigated. The peak current density (118.05mA cm-2) of PdSn/NG is higher than the sum current density (45.63+47.59mA cm-2) of Pd/NG and PdSn/G. It reveals a synergistic electrocatalytic oxidation effect in PdSn/N-doped graphene Nanocomposite. Extend experiments show this multisource synergetic catalytic effect of metal alloying and N-doped graphene support in one catalyst on small organic molecule (methanol, ethanol and Ethylene glycol) oxidation is universal in PdM(M=Sn, Pb)/NG catalysts. Further, The high dispersion of small nanoparticles, the altered electron structure and Pd(0)/Pd(II) ratio of Pd in catalysts induced by strong coupled the metal alloying and N-doped graphene are responsible for the multisource synergistic catalytic effect in PdM(M=Sn, Pb) /NG catalysts. Finally, the catalytic durability and stability are also greatly improved.