Electrooxidation of ethylene glycol on carbon black-supported palladium-Ruthenium nanoparticle's surface

The study involved the conversion of Palladium (Pd) and Ruthenium (Ru) metal-supported carbon black (CB) into a hybrid nano electrocatalyst using the microwave synthesis method. Among the four tested catalysts (Pd/ CB, Pd1Ru1, Pd1Ru2, and Pd2Ru1), Pd2Ru1 electrocatalyst demonstrated the most effective performance for ethylene glycol electrooxidation (-0.51 V onset potential, 0.13 mA/cm2 current density and-0.21 V anodic peak potential). The physical and chemical properties of the hybrid electrocatalysts were characterized using optical and electrochemical techniques. Additionally, the electrochemical test indicated that Pd2Ru1 exhibited superior poisoning resistance and improved electrochemical stability compared to other tested materials. Also, the catalyst generated close to 0.055 A hydrogen production current while the presence of ethanol enhanced the oxidative current. The performance of the cell at two different temperatures (22 and 56 degrees C) was also elucidated with up to 0.87 and 0.57 V voltage outputs respectively. The study revealed the potential of Pd2Ru1 as an efficient anodic electrocatalyst in the ethylene glycol direct fuel cell assemblies.