Incorporation of Bimetallic Nanoparticles in Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-67 (ZIF-67) for Use as a Catalyst for Ethanol Oxidation

Abstract

Recently, direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) have been attaining a crucial role in energy resources and transportable devices. Many of the researchers in DEFCs has begin to engage considerable focus due to their high electrocatalytic activity, enormous stability, portability, and inexpensive. In this study, we present an anchoring of bimetallic Pd-Cu nanoparticles supported ZIF-67 catalyst (Pd-Cu@ZIF-67) for high-performance electro-oxidation of ethanol for direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) applications. Structural, morphological, and elemental composition of the proposed catalyst were examined by using UV–vis spectroscopy, XRD, FE-SEM, and EDX. Further, the electrochemical properties of Pd-Cu@ZIF-67 catalyst for ethanol oxidation in basic media were explored by using various electrochemical techniques. According to the results, the suggested catalyst showed maximum ECSA (128.7 m²g⁻¹), higher current density (894.06 mA cm⁻²), durability (750s), and improved long-term stability (230 cycles) than the other controlled catalysts towards ethanol oxidation reaction. This enhanced of the Pd-Cu@ZIF-67 catalyst is to the synergistic effects of Pd-Cu nanoparticles and outstanding support material (ZIF-67). These findings highly suggest the Pd-Cu@ZIF-67 catalyst as an anodic potential material in fuel cell applications.