Electrochemical synthesis of palladium dendrites on carbon support and their enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards formic acid oxidation

Abstract

Palladium (Pd) dendrites on carbon black support were synthesized by a simple template/surfactant-free electrochemical deposition. In comparison to Pd spherical deposit obtained on non-activated carbon, Pd deposited on an electrochemically activated carbon displayed a dendritic morphology with increased electrochemical surface area and showed enhanced catalytic activity for formic acid oxidation. The effect of electrochemical activation and deposition cycles were studied in relation to the growth and morphological features of Pd deposit. Scanning electron micrographs and X-ray diffraction studies showed a transition in Pd morphology from spheres to dendrites when the carbon support was subjected to varying cycles of electrochemical activation, prior to Pd deposition. Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectra results showed that the defects induced during electrochemical activation on carbon played a major role in tailoring the Pd morphology.

Electrocatalytic Performance of Palladium Dendrites Deposited on Titania Nanotubes for Formic Acid Oxidation

“…Slow scan cyclic deposition of Pd in acidic electrolyte is found to be an interesting approach for the synthesis of Pd dendrites 33. Hence, the aim of the present work is to synthesize Pd dendrites on TNT/Ti and to evaluate their activity in comparison to Pd deposited directly on Ti for the oxidation of formic acid for application in DFAFCs.…”

Progress in the Development of Electrodeposited Catalysts for Direct Liquid Fuel Cell Applications

“…Chetty and his group [94][95][96][97][98][99] addressed the challenge of obtaining palladium nanostructures on carbon based substrates without the need for a template/surfactant/structure directing agent. Dendritic Pd structures were synthesized on a carbon black (Vulcan) support coated on a graphite substrate using two different template free electrochemical techniques: cyclic voltammetry and constant voltage.…”