Synthesis of Novel Pd/γ-AlOOH Composites and Its Electrooxidation toward Methanol in Alkaline Solution

Abstract

Well-dispersed palladium nanoparticles on the surface of three-quarter-sphere-like γ-AlOOH were prepared by an efficient, low-cost and facile reductive process that utilizes 0.01 mol/L NaBH₄ solution. The morphology, structure and elemental composition of this Pd/γ-AlOOH composite were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the Pd nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed and their size distributed from 6 to 8.5 nm. Electrochemical performance of Pd/γ-AlOOH toward methanol in alkaline solution was examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometric techniques. The results indicated that this novel Pd/γ-AlOOH composite had excellent electro-catalytic activity and long-term stability.