A novel N and Se codoped-carbon support anchoring Pd nanoparticles as an efficient electrocatalyst towards ethylene glycol electrooxidation

Currently, design of advanced support materials to develop an economical, high-efficient and long-durable electrocatalyst is a valuable research topic. Herein, an electrocatalyst (Pd/N-Se-C) of N and Se codoped-carbon (N-Se-C) support anchoring Pd nanoparticles (NPs) has been fabricated. Physical characterization exhibits Pd NPs are closely adjacent to N-Se-C support in Pd/N-Se-C electrocatalyst, leading to a strong metal-support interaction between Pd NPs and N-Se-C support, which contributes to the enhancement of catalytic performance. In comparison with Pd/C, the Pd/N-Se-C possesses larger electrochemical active surface area and more negative onset potential, as well as lower Tafel slope and activation energy. Consequently, the Pd/N-Se-C has superior performance towards ethylene glycol electrooxidation.