Electrochemical Synthesis of Cauliflower-Like PtPd@PVF Nanocatalyst for Electrooxidation of Methanol

Abstract

In this study, a bimetallic catalyst consisting of Pt and Pd nanoparticles supported on poly(vinylferrocene), i.e., PtPd@PVF was electrochemically prepared on pencil graphite electrode to improve the catalytic properties of previously developed Pt@PVF catalyst. K2PtCl4 and K2PdCl4 were used as the metal precursors in order to disperse the Pt and Pd onto the conducting polymer support by cyclic voltammetry technique. Electrochemical and chemical reduction methods were compared for the reduction of Pt and Pd complexes. The prepared catalyst system was electrochemically characterized by cyclic voltammetry. Physical characterization of the catalyst was performed by recording scanning electron microscopy images and energy dispersive X-ray spectrum. The PtPd@PVF catalyst showed superior catalytic activity towards electrooxidation of methanol compared to the monometallic Pt/PVF catalyst.