Pd nanoparticles immobilized by a MOF-derived CeO2/C for boosting ethylene glycol electrooxidation

The operation of direct ethylene glycol fuel cells (DEGFCs) to generate electric energy from ethylene glycol rely on the effective electrocatalysts for the ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR). The fabrication of EGOR electrocatalysts with high activity, high durability and high resistance for corrosion, is essential important for the DEGFCs. Herein, we report a fabrication of Pd nanoparticles immobilized by the Ce-doped ZIF-67-derived carbon (Pd-CeO₂/ZDC). The Pd nanoparticles are generated by the in-situ reduction reaction between the H₂PdCl₄ and the Co nanoparticles formed during the ZIF-67 pyrolysis. Owe to the porous structure and N-doping inherited from the ZIF-67, the Pd and CeO₂ nanoparticles show a uniform distribution. Due to the enhanced EGOR electrooxidation kinetic promoted by the ZIF-67-derived support, the multiple-components and structure synergies, the resultant Pd-CeO₂/ZDC catalyst affords a EGOR current density of 32.4 mA cm^-2, which is higher than the commercial Pd/C as well as the counterpart Pd/ZDC catalyst without CeO₂. Furthermore, the Pd-CeO₂/ZDC catalyst also present a better EGOR durability. This work provides a strategy for the design of EGOR catalyst with multiple-components and desired structure, which may inspire the new tactics for controllable design and synthesis of other electrocatalysts for various electrocatalysis.