An easy and eco-friendly method to fabricate three-dimensional Pd-M (Cu, Ni) nanonetwork structure decorated on the graphene nanosheet with boosted ethanol electrooxidation activity in alkaline medium

A new rapid and facile strategy for the preparation of Pd-Ni/G and Pd-Cu/G catalysts with a three-dimensional porous structure are presented in this paper. Both catalysts are formed using the same strategies in two steps: 1) The reduction of Ni(OH)2 and Cu(OH)2 to the metallic form on the surface of G/GC Electrode using the Zn/HCl reducer, 2) The galvanic displacement of Ni and Cu by Pd2+. Afterwards, three-dimensional Pd nanonetwork is generated on the glassy carbon electrode via the galvanic displacement. Compared to the other routes, this strategy depicts several advantages (e.g. fast way, facile, surfactant and reductant free, cheap, and eco-friendly.) Both catalysts are applied towards Ethanol Oxidation Reaction (EOR). Both porous structures show higher electrocatalytic activity and stability toward EOR compared to the commercial Pd/C. The extraordinary catalytic activity and durability of the both proposed catalysts for EOR can be related to the two vital reasons:1) The combination of Ni and Cu with Pd will efficiently promote the catalytic performance of Pd-Ni/G and Pd-Cu/G samples due to synergetic effects. 2) The porous structure of the as-prepared catalysts renders a high surface area and leads easier mass transport through the pores.