Superior ethanol electrooxidation activity of Pd supported on Ni(OH)2/C. The effect of Ni(OH)2 nanosheets content

This paper describes the synthesis of Pd nanoparticles supported on Ni(OH)2/C with different proportions of Pd:Ni(OH)2 (30:70, 50:50, 70:30) and their catalytic activity towards the oxidation of ethanol in alkaline media. The catalysts are synthesised by a simple chemical reduction method. Electrochemical measurements show that Pd/Ni(OH)2/C catalysts with 30% of Ni(OH)2 nanosheets content yield the highest catalytic activity towards ethanol oxidation, exhibiting the highest mass activity of 8452.8 mA mg−1, which is 5-fold higher than at pure Pd catalyst. Additionally, electrochemical impedance spectra reveal lower values of charge transfer resistance for Pd70/Ni(OH)2(30)/C. The Pd70/Ni(OH)2(30)/C catalyst also displays excellent durability and stability during ethanol oxidation studied by chronoamperometric and cycling tests, reaching current densities almost six times higher than the Pd/C catalyst. The superior catalytic performance of the bimetallic Pd70/Ni(OH)2(30)/C catalyst can result from the synergy between the metals. [Display omitted] •Ni(OH)2 nanosheets promoted the electrocatalytic performance of Pd nanoparticles.•Pdx/Ni(OH)2(y) catalysts were synthesised by a simple chemical reduction method.•Catalytic activity towards ethanol oxidation depends on the proportion of Pd:Ni(OH)2.•Pd70/Ni(OH)2(30)/C exhibited the highest catalytic activity towards ethanol oxidation.