Abstract:
Trimetallic Pd-Sn-Co nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully fixed on the support graphene oxide (GO)/CuBi
2O
4 via facile hydrothermal and impregnation-reduction methods. The Pd-Sn-Co@reduced graphene oxide(rGO)/CuBi
2O
4 catalysts obtained were employed to the electrocatalytic oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG) in an alkaline medium. Compared with the monometallic Pd, bimetallic Pd-Co, Pd-Sn@rGO/CuBi
2O
4 electrocatalysts, the trimetallic Pd-Sn-Co@rGO/CuBi
2O
4 exhibits the highest electrocatalytic activity and tolerance of poison species, the forward peak current density as high as 186.54 mA·cm
−2, is about 6.3 times higher than that of commercial Pd/C (29.57 mA·cm
−2). The outstanding electrooxidation performance of Pd-Sn-Co@rGO/CuBi
2O
4 composites is attributed to the unique 3D structures of support GO/CuBi
2O
4 which provide plenty of interfaces and achievable reaction active sites for the loading metals, as well as the strong synergistic effects of the well-dispersed Pd-Sn-Co NPs. Besides, the introduction of GO in CuBi
2O
4 matrix conduces to the loading of multi-metal NPs resulting in more adsorption of oxygenated species, and provides superior electron transfer and improves contact surface area with EG molecules. The study on the new composites offers a conception and applicable way to develop the advanced Pd-based electrocatalysts for high performance direct alcohol fuel cells.