Development of palladium nickel/tin metal oxide catalysts on carbon nanotube supports for direct alcohol fuel cells

Abstract

Palladium can be used as an anodic catalyst for the alkaline direct alcohol fuel cells (ADAFCs). Palladium has displayed high tolerance towards carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and high catalytic activity for alcohol oxidation reaction in alkaline medium. Palladium-based catalysts have arisen as an alternative to performing alcohol oxidation reaction, especially when combined with other transition metals and multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as a support, which induces changes in the palladium electronic structure, and thus, increasing its activity. This research is focused on the development of palladium catalysts incorporated with nickel and tin (transitional metals) on multi walled carbon nanotubes for alkaline direct glycerol fuel cells.