Green synthesis of Pt-Pd bimetallic nanoparticle decorated reduced graphene oxide and its robust catalytic activity for efficient ethylene glycol electrooxidation

A simple one-pot green synthesis method is developed to prepare a platinum-palladium (Pt-Pd) bimetallic nanoparticle decorated reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite using vermicast extract as a reducing and stabilization agent. Morphological analysis confirms the homogenous decoration of Pt-Pd nanoparticles over the rGO sheets. Structural studies verify that the fatty acids and amide groups of the vermicast extract play a foremost role in the reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and the metallic ions. Benefiting from bimetallic features and a precise carbon support, the dehydrogenation of ethylene glycol (EG) and CO tolerance toward EG oxidation is significantly enhanced for rGO/Pt-Pd. The enhanced electrocatalytic activity of rGO/Pt-Pd toward EG oxidation is quantified via its mass activity of 803.4 mA mg^-1, which is higher than the prepared nanocatalysts and commercial Pt/C. Furthermore, rGO/Pt-Pd retains a high current density (85%) over 500 cycles from its initial value, revealing its robust tolerance against CO poisoning. Thus the adopted green approach affords a cost-efficient and biocompatible carbonaceous metal nanocomposite with desirable electrocatalytic activity and stability for EG electrooxidation, demonstrating its wide applicability in high performance energy conversion devices.