PdTex/C nanocatalysts with high catalytic activity for ethanol electro-oxidation in alkaline medium

Carbon-supported palladium–tellurium binary nanocatalysts with different atomic ratios of Pd/Te (PdTex/C, x = 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2) are prepared by a fast microwave polyol method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis reveal that the intermetallic phases of both PdTe and PdTe2 are formed in the PdTex/C catalysts. The presence of tellurium effectively inhibits the agglomeration of Pd nanoparticles. All catalyst nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed on carbon support and the average particle size of PdTe1.5/C catalyst is a bit smaller than that of Pd/C catalyst. The peak current density of ethanol oxidation on PdTe1.5/C (190.3 mA cm−2) is about 2.8 times higher than that on Pd/C (68.5 mA cm−2) in cyclic voltammograms (CV). Moreover, the anti-poisoning ability and durability of this catalyst are also greatly improved. The Te-containing catalyst facilitates the formation of oxygenated species obviously and weakens the adsorption of CO-like species. The kinetics of ethanol oxidation reaction is notably enhanced on the PdTe1.5/C catalyst.