High catalytic performance of a Pd-loaded TaN-TaC electrocatalyst for ethylene glycol oxidation in an alkaline medium

Abstract In this work, tantalum nitride and tantalum carbide (TaN-TaC) composites are prepared using a one-step calcination method. The resulting TaN-TaC composites have excellent conductivity, and therefore, potential applications in the electrode materials of fuel cells. Then, palladium nanoparticles loading on TaN-TaC (Pd/TaN-TaC) electrocatalysts are synthesized using the reflux method. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results imply that the valance states of palladium are of the form Pd0 and Pd2+ on the surface of TaN-TaC composites. The electrocatalytic activity of the Pd/TaN-TaC catalysts is measured in a 0.5 mol L−1 KOH solution and 1 mol L−1 of ethylene glycol. These results imply that the Pd/TaN-TaC electrocatalyst modified glassy carbon electrode has a high catalytic activity for ethylene glycol electrooxidation in an alkaline medium. The dosage of Pd is 7% (mass ratio of Pd and TaN-TaC) and it exhibits the higher electrocatalytic activity, and superior to the commercial Pd/C (10%).