Covalent functionalization of graphene with 1, 5-diaminonaphthalene and ultrasmall palladium nanoparticles for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction. (26th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Park, Dongchul; Ahmed, Mohammad Shamsuddin; Jeon, Seungwon
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 42:Number 4(2017)
• Page Start: 2061
• Page End: 2070
• Publication Date: 2017-01-26
• Subjects: Electrocatalysis -- Covalent functionalization -- Electrochemically reduced graphene oxide -- Oxygen reduction reaction -- Palladium nanoparticles; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.09.175
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: 1, 5-diaminonaphthalene and ultrasmall palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) embedded electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (denoted as ERGO-DAN-Pd) was successfully synthesized and employed as a cathode catalyst for enhanced oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in direct alkaline fuel cells (DAFCs). The physical properties of ERGO-DAN-Pd were investigated using several instrumental methods. The morphological characterizations demonstrate that the ultrasmall PdNPs were homogeneously dispersed on the ERGO-DAN film. X-ray analysis confirmed the successful covalent functionalization of graphene sheets with DAN. The electrocatalytic activity of ERGO-DAN-Pd towards ORR was excellent compared to other electrodes in 0.1 M KOH electrolyte. Particularly, it showed 1.8 and 2.7 magnitude higher mass activity with large specific activity compared to 20 wt.% Pt/C and nonfunctionalized ERGO/Pd, respectively. Moreover, the reaction kinetic parameters confirmed that the ORR at ERGO-DAN-Pd catalyst was followed by a 4e − process with faster electron transfer rate per O2 with better stability and fuel selectivity than state-of-the-are Pt/C for DAFCs application. Graphical abstract: Highlights: 1, 5-diaminonaphthalene functionalized graphene with PdNPs was prepared, ERGO-DAN-Pd. Ultrasmall PdNPs were homogeneously dispersed on the ERGO-DAN film than ERGO film. It showed 1.8 and 2.7 times higher mass activity than Pt/C and DAN-free ERGO/Pd. It exhibited good stability and fuel selectivity in DAFCs that Pt/C during ORR.