Increments of significant Green House Gases emissions, GHG, due to persistent policies on continuing fossil fuel burning has led, in return, to more research on conversion, storage and distribution of sustainable energy sources. Direct Liquid Fuel Cells (DLFCs) coupled with Pd-based nanoparticles (PdNPs), as renewable energy sources, are capable of attaining relatively high energy conversion efficiencies, safety of operation and dependability; together, they can be applied to portable devices and transport means. For example, Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cells (DFACs) are used for these applications. This work deals with the synthesis of Pd-based electrocatalysts through a combustion method. Electrocatalysts were characterized by XRD and SEM. Further, the ensuing electrochemical characterization was carried out by means of the electrocatalysts activation, CO adsorption/oxidation and formic acid electro-oxidation. Figure 1

The use of proton exchange membrane fuel cells as viable energy conversion alternatives, coupled with the apparent diminution of internal combustion engines in transport means, brings in the opportunity to evaluate novel materials, while decreasing the use of noble expensive metals in the electrodes; overall the fuel cell efficiency is improved. This work deals with the synthesis of Pd-based electrocatalysts through a combustion method. Electrocatalysts were characterization by XRD and SEM (as shown in Figure 1). The electrochemical evaluation was carried out with a Fuel Cell Test System, see Figure 2. Figure 1

Palladium-based electrocatalysts supported on carbon Vulcan XC72R were synthesized by combustion to step up the methanol electro-oxidation reaction (MER) in alkaline media and physico-chemically characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to establish composition, crystallite and particle sizes, respectively. The catalytic activity was evaluated by electrochemical techniques, namely, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA) using the well-known electrochemical parameter: steady state anodic current density (j ss).