AgPd nanoparticles as a potential electrocatalyst for enhanced performance in direct glycerol fuel cells

This study explores the potential of using alcohols as an alternative to hydrogen in fuel cells, focusing on crude glycerol as a promising option. Its utilization in direct glycerol fuel cells provides an environmentally friendly alternative. It helps address waste management challenges in the biodiesel industry with energy efficiencies theoretically superior to traditional direct alcohol fuel cells. Nevertheless, the impurities in crude glycerol can deactivate electrocatalyst active sites, emphasizing the need for selective, stable, and accessible materials resistant to CO poisoning. The present study synthesized AgPd nanoalloys through chemical reduction with varying Ag:Pd ratios (1:1 and 1:3), characterizing them using UV–Vis, SEM, STEM, XPS, and XRD analysis. The nanoalloys exhibited distinct zones corresponding to Ag and Pd in electrochemical profiles conducted in 2 M KOH. AgPd (1:1)/C demonstrated the highest maximum current density for crude glycerol (220.27 mA mg−1) among the materials tested. Ag incorporation into Pd enhanced methanol tolerance and stability after 500 cycles, indicating CO poisoning resistance. Furthermore, AgPd (1:1)/C showed consistent performance in glycerol and crude glycerol, indicating an optimal composition with minimal impact on charge transfer resistance.