Hydrogenated graphene as support of Pd nanoparticles with improved electrocatalytic activity for ethanol oxidation reaction in alkaline media

A new class of ethanol electrooxidation catalyst was developed based on Pd nanoparticles supported by hydrogenated graphene (HG). The catalytic activities of Pd/HG with different hydrogenation degree (annealed at 60, 300, 800 °C respectively) were also carefully studied. Test results suggested that Pd/HG-60 exhibited super activity for electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation to Pd/HG-300 and Pd/HG-800. Moreover, Pd/HG-60 showed the highest electrochemically active surface area (EASA) among these obtained catalysts. The characterization data indicated that hydrogenated graphene with high hydrogenation degree was more favorable to promote the formation and dispersion of small Pd nanoparticles. In turn, highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles have strong electronic interaction with graphene support, which contributes to high EASA resulting in better electrocatalytic activity for ethanol oxidation reaction in alkaline media.