Electrochemical Deposition of Highly Dispersed Palladium Nanoparticles on Nafion‐Graphene Film in Presence of Ferrous Ions for Ethanol Electrooxidation

An efficient method was developed to produce highly dispersed Pd nano particles (NPs), supported on Nafion‐graphene film by electrochemical deposition at constant potential in presence of ferrous ions. The Fe²⁺ ions govern the size, shape and morphology of Pd NPs. The as‐prepared catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). It was obeserved from TEM that the mean diameter of electrodeposited Pd NPs was 6.4 ± 1.3 nm with narrow diameter range from 4 to 10 nm. The electrocatalytic performance of the Pd NPs deposited on Nafion‐graphene (Nf‐G) catalyst was studied by cyclic voltametry (CV) and chronoamperometric measurements. The highly dispersed Pd NPs on Nf‐G film were obtained in presence of Fe²⁺ ions. This alters electrochemical active surface area and hence catalytic activity of Pd NPs. The prepared Pd/Nf‐G catalyst exhibit highest tolerance to the intermediate poisoning species (ratio I_f/I_b = 2.2). The as‐obtained catalyst shows an efficient electrocatalytic activity and good stability for ethanol oxidation in alkaline medium.