Sonochemical Synthesis of Two Dimensional C₃N₄ Nanosheets Supported Palladium Composites and Their Electrocatalytic Activity for Oxygen Reduction and Methanol Oxidation Reaction

Abstract

The preparation of highly active electrocatalysts with good durability and low cost for fuel cells is highly desirable but still remains a significant challenge. Here we synthesized two dimensional (2D) C 3 N 4 nanosheets supported palladium composites (C 3 N 4 /Pd) via a simple and convenient sonochemical approach. We have systematically studied the electrocatalytic performance of as-prepared catalysts. We found that the prepared C 3 N 4 /Pd composites possessed excellent catalytic activity and stability for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media. Encouragingly, the C 3 N 4 /Pd catalysts exhibit the excellent electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in alkaline media, even better than that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst. The excellent electrocatalytic performance of the 2D C 3 N 4 nanosheets supported palladium composites catalysts results from their synergy effect between the ultrathin substrate material with large surface area and excellent dispersion of palladium nanoparticles. This study demonstrates that sonochemical method opens up a new avenue for the preparation of electrocatalysts for fuel cells. We expect these materials are likely to find uses in a broad range of applications, for example, fuel cells, solar cells, batteries and other electrochemical analysis.