Carbonaceous nanocomposites decorated with Pd-Co alloy as catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

Palladium-cobalt-based carbonaceous nanocomposites have been prepared with rGO and carbon black by ultrasonication of alloy with rGO and carbon black to increase the efficiency of the alloys. The rGO and Vulcan carbon improves the electron transfer capabilities of the composites. The formation of nanocomposite is confirmed by FTIR and Raman analyses. The carbon bonds in rGO are noted from XPS analysis. The TEM micrographs depict alloy embedded in the rGO and Vulcan carbon. The prepared alloys and Pd-Co alloy-decorated rGO nanocomposites have been employed as catalysts in hydrogen evolution in an acidic medium. For HER, overpotential against RHE was calculated. The overpotential values suggest that the nanocomposites show efficiency which matches with platinum. The Tafel values are as low as 182 mV dec-1 which recommends the replacement of platinum with Pd-Co and nanocomposites. Palladium has been ensured as a promising material, and alloying of palladium with Cobalt, a non-noble 3D transition magnetic metal will yield synergic results. Hence, Pd-Co-based carbonaceous nanocomposites were efficient and more flexible for catalysis applications.