The Effect of Metal Ratios in Graphene-Supported PdCoNi Anodic Electrocatalysts on Catalytic Property for Enhanced Methanol Electrooxidation

The various metal ratios of PdCoNi/G nanocomposites (PdCoNi/G 6:1:1, 6:3:3, 6:4.5:1.5, 6:1.5:4.5, and 6:9:9) supported on graphene were synthesized using a chemical reduction of metal compounds and graphite oxide with a strong reducing agent under N 2 conditions without calcinations to improve the electrocatalytic performance for methanol electrooxidation. SEM, EDX, XRD, XPS, and XANES were used to study the physical and chemical properties of all electrocatalysts. The composition of PdCoNi/G electrocatalysts was in the form of palladium metal, cobalt oxides, and nickel oxide. The electrocatalysis activity of methanol oxidation in 1 M KOH was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. It was found that PdCoNi/G (6:1:1) nanocomposite enhanced the catalytic activity. The relative potential showed the highest current density (17.27 mA/cm 2 ) and negative potential (− 0.065 V) in the catalyst studies. In addition, PdCoNi/G (6:1:1) nanoncomposite presented the best intermediate poisoning tolerance for the methanol oxidation of all synthesized electrocatalysts. These confirmed that PdCoNi/G (6:1:1) is very promising for applications in direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). Graphical Abstract Schematic illustration of the synthesis of PdCoNi metal nanocomposites (various metal ratios) supported on graphene (a) oxidation of graphite to GO and (b) reduction between GO and metal compounds with NaBH 4 as a reducing agent.