Manganese-titanium-oxide-hydroxide-supported palladium nanostructures - A facile electrocatalysts for the methanol, ethylene glycol and xylitol electrooxidation

The formation of organic poisoning intermediate species during fuel (alcohol) oxidation over a noble-metal catalyst electrode retards the electrooxidation reaction. To address this problem, we report the synthesis of a manganese-titanium-oxide-hydroxide-supported palladium nanocatalyst (Pd@MTOH), whereby a hydrothermal reaction is followed by an in situ reduction process. The physical characterizations confirm the formation of Pd NPs and a mixed-valance MTOH. The voltammetric-study results for the Pd@MTOH show a high level of electrochemical activity toward alcohol (methanol, ethylene glycol, and xylitol), and oxidation toward the Pd@MnOOH and Pd@C electrodes. At the Pd@MTOH electrode, the poisonous intermediate species that were formed during alcohol electrooxidation were successfully removed at a higher forward potential; the excellent catalytic activity, better intermediate tolerance, and sound long-term stability of the Pd@MTOH electrode can be credited to the uniform dispersion of the Pd NPs and the support (MTOH). This work outlines a facile method for the fabrication of a catalyst with a high electrochemical performance and great potential in alcohol fuel-cell applications.