Facile Synthesis of Pd/MWCNT Nanocomposite for Ethanol Fuel Cell

Pd nanoparticles supported on multi wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposite is prepared by direct deposition method without using any reducing agent. Obtained nanocatalyst (PdNPs/MWCNT) was decorated on the carbon ceramic electrode (CCE) and used as electro catalyst (PdNPs/MWCNT/CCE) for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media. The PdNPs/MWCNT was characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to describe its crystal phases, nanostructure properties and composition. Electrochemical characterization techniques, including cycling voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry were used to analyze electrochemical performance of PdNPs/MWCNT/CCE. The obtained results show that the fabricated electrode has satisfactory stability and reproducibility for electrooxidation of ethanol when stored in ambient conditions or continues cycling making it more active for fuel cell applications.