Pd@MC-PVA composite electrocatalyst for ethanol electrochemical oxidation

By a simple and effective intermittent microwave heating (IMH) method, Pd anchored on mesoporous carbon (MC) and Poly (vinyl alcohol), (PVA) (Pd@MC-PVA) composite was successful synthesized for ethanol electrochemical oxidation. Both cyclic voltammetric and chronoamperametric measurements indicate that the performance of Pd@MC-PVA was significant improved for ethanol oxidation. The activity of Pd@MC-PVA for ethanol oxidation is four times higher than that of Pd@MC with the same Pd loading in alkaline media. The activity enhancement could attribute to a good Pd dispersion and utilization on MC because of strong hydrophilic and excellent conductivity. (paper)