Synthesis of Pd-Ag/C electro-catalysts and their activities for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media

• Main Author: Law, Hiu Mung.
• Other Authors: Wang Xin (SCBE)
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Chemical engineering::Biotechnological production
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/16370
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Bimetallic Palladium-Silver electro-catalysts supported on carbon black (Pd-Ag/C) were synthesized and tested for its performance for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media. The synthesis method using NaBH4 reduction method allows formation of Palladium (Pd) and Silver (Ag) nano-particles. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Spectroscopy (TEM) were performed to determine the surface and morphology of the electro-catalysts. Electrochemical tests, namely carbon monoxide (CO) stripping, cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), effect of different temperature on CV are conducted. Through these electrochemical tests, the electro-catalytic activities of Pd-Ag/C are found to be superior to that of pure Pd and pure Platinum (Pt) electro-catalysts. Different compositions of Pd-Ag/C were compared to optimize ratio of Pd is to Ag to give the highest electro-catalytic activity. Maintaining potassium hydroxide (KOH) concentration, effect of changing ethanol (C2H5OH) concentration in C2H5OH-KOH solution on the optimized composition of Pd-Ag/C is investigated using CV technique. Similarly, the optimum Pd-Ag/C is subjected to CV by changing KOH concentrations while maintaining C2H5OH concentration and its effect is investigated. This project researches on the potential of Pd-Ag/C electro-catalysts to be used for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media.