Shubiao Xia

Pd Nanoparticles Self-Assembled on Fluorine-Modified MWCNTs as Electro-Catalysts for Methanol Electro-Oxidation

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were modified by hydrogen fluoride (HF) in a simple method. With the help of fluorine, Pd nanoparticles (3.9nm) synthesized by a one-step photochemical reduction were uniformly self-assembled on the active sites of functionalized MWCNTs and a new catalyst (Pd/HF-MWCNT) was obtained. UV–Vis absorption spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used. The results demonstrated that –F groups were introduced onto the surface of MWCNTs and C–F chemical bonds were formed. In addition, the electronic structure of Pd was changed. Pd–F coordination bond maybe formed between F atom and Pd atom. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry tests indicated that electro-catalytic activity of Pd/HF-MWCNTs catalyst for methanol in alkaline medium was about 1.6 times higher than that of the commercial Pd/C (JM) catalyst at the same condition. This new functionalized method ha...