Characterization and electrocatalytic properties of sonochemical synthesized PdAg nanoparticles

High intensity ultrasound was used in the synthesis of PdAg nanoparticles. PdAg nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Catalytic properties for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were determined by electrochemical techniques of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and thin-film rotating disk electrode (TF-RDE). Finally the electrocatalyst was tested as a cathode in a single polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Sonochemical synthesis (SS) decreased the overpotential required for the ORR and increased the double-layer capacitance (DLC) respect to the sodium borohydride reduction method due to a better distribution on vulcan carbon support. The electrocatalytic activity of the nanometric bimetallic electrocatalyst for the ORR in acid media showed a favorable multielectron charge transfer process (n = 4e−) to water formation. The performance of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) prepared with dispersed PdAg/C as a cathode catalyst in a single PEMFC is lower in comparison to platinum. - Highlights: ► Sonochemical synthesized PdAg nanoparticles supported on carbon were produced. ► The material showed catalytic properties for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). ► The ORR favored the pathway to water formation.