Pd-doped g-C3N4 decorated by nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dot as a high performance electrocatalyst with superior durability and methanol tolerance for oxygen reduction reaction

[Display omitted] •Pd-g-C3N4/NCQD presented comparable performance in comparison to commercial Pt/C toward oxygen reduction reaction.•The fabricated Pd-g-C3N4/NCQD could serve as promising methanol tolerant oxygen reduction electrocatalyst in direct methanol fuel cells. Palladium doped graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (Pd-g-C3N4) decorated with nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (NCQD) were fabricated as non-platinum nitrogen macrocyclic electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media. The physical properties studies approved the formation of Pd-N. Moreover, it is confirmed that Pd-g-C3N4 has chemical interaction with NCQD. The electrochemical performance investigations showed that Pd-g-C3N4/NCQD majorly catalyzed ORR through four electron path. The enhancement of ORR kinetic is mainly associated with presence of the Pd-Nx reaction sites and rapid electron transfer occurring at the interface of Pd-g-C3N4 and NCQD. The prepared Pd-g-C3N4/NCQD presented comparable catalytic activity, outstanding methanol resistance and long lasting function period in comparison to commercial Pt/C. These properties could introduce it as a promising catalyst material for ORR in direct methanol fuel cells.