Bis (dibenzylidene acetone) palladium (0) catalyst for glycerol oxidation in half cell and in alkaline direct glycerol fuel cell

In this study, catalytic activity and performance of bis (dibenzylidene acetone) palladium (0) catalyst, Pd (DBA)2, was evaluated toward glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) in alkaline half cell and alkaline direct glycerol fuel cell (DGFC). The electrooxidation of glycerol on Pd (DBA)2 was characterized in half cell by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and chronoamperometry (CA) techniques. Obtained results have highlighted the excellent electrocatalyst activity of Pd (DBA)2 in terms of specific peak current density and onset potential compared to the results obtained by conventional Pd base catalysts. CVs results also demonstrate that Pd (DBA)2 is still active even after 200 cycles. In order to determine the performance of Pd (DBA)2 in alkaline DGFC, membrane-electrode assembly was fabricated by employing the Pd (DBA)2 catalyst in anode electrode, Acta commercial cathode and Tokuyama anion-exchange membrane and successfully evaluated in a single passive DGFC. Cell open circuit voltage and maximum power density of 800 mV and 24 mW cm−2 were achieved, respectively by using static aqueous fuel containing 5 wt% of glycerol. Half and whole cell results exhibit acceptable activity and performance of Pd (DBA)2 in GOR and suggesting it as a new promising anode catalyst for DGFC in alkaline media.