Facile synthesis of palladium nanoparticles decorated nitrogen doped graphene as a new catalyst and their catalytic activity for methanol oxidation in alkaline media

We report a novel method for the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) decorated nitrogen dopedgraphene. Nanoflower-like, nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) with pure sp2 hybridized carbon and designed nitrogen typeswas synthesized by a low temperature solvothermal process. The produced NG was characterized by transmissionelectron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Pd NPs aredecorated on nitrogen doped graphene (Pd/NG) by kinetically controlling the polyol reduction process. The kineticcontrol of the growth of the nanoparticles and nitrogen doping of the supporting material leads to the formation of highlydispersed anisotropic nanoparticles over the graphene support. Electrochemical test showed that NG has a much higherdurability as a Pd support for Methanol Oxidation in Direct Methanol Fuel Cell than commercial Pt/C.

Keywords:

Nitrogen doped graphene , palladium nanoparticles , Methanol Oxidation , Direct Methanol Fuel Cells