Pd nanoparticle decollated reduced graphene oxide and PdSn nanoparticles synthesized by stepwised electroless deposition for oxygen reduction reaction catalysts

• Main Author: Ang, Kenneth Boon Khim
• Other Authors: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/61354
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The platinum (Pt) catalyst that is commonly used in fuel cells due to its high catalytic activity is expensive and depleting in supply. Hence, the focus has shifted to non-platinum catalysts such as palladium-based ones with similar electrochemical activity. Current synthesis methods involve a substantial amount of time and harsh conditions. This final year project reports a facile and quick stepwise electroless deposition process to synthesize palladium (Pd) nanoparticles on the surface of a rotating disk electrode. The catalysts were then characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical measurements. The results show that bimetallic Pd-Sn catalyst has not been synthesized successfully in acidic medium while Pd nanoparticles decorated on reduced graphene oxide exhibit better catalytic activity compared to Pt/C and Pd/C in alkaline medium.