Nitrogen-functionalized carbon nanotube based palladium nanoparticles as an efficient catalyst for oxygen reduction and ethanol oxidation reaction

In this report, we have synthesized nitrogen-functionalized carbon nanotube (NCNT) supported palladium nanoparticles (NCNT-Pd) by using facile chemical reduction method at room temperature. This material has been used as electrocatalyst for electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). In the case of ORR, NCNT-Pd shows more positive onset potential, higher current density, as well as superior methanol tolerance and long term durability compared with the 20% commercial Pt/C catalyst. Moreover, NCNT-Pd exhibits enhanced catalytic activity for EOR with more negative onset potential and higher current density. The current density of NCNT-Pd for EOR is 2.54 and 5.2 times higher than that of CNT-Pd and 10% Pd/C, respectively. Due to nitrogen functionalization and synergetic effect between NCNT and Pd, NCNT-Pd exhibits superior catalytic performance in ethanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions.