Synthesis characterization and fabrication of palladium metal oxide based nanocomposites for electro chemical oxidation reaction

Abstract

The objective of present thesis work involved in synthesis and characterization of multiwalled carbon nanotube and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites decorated with different metal nanoparticles for electrochemical oxidation reaction. Palladium and Palladium-based nanoparticles are the most promising electro-catalyst for liquid fuels. The small organic molecules such as methanol, ethanol and organic acid like formic acid fuel widely investigated in the electrochemical energy conversion applications. High cost of the Pt catalyst and stability of the electrode is the main barrier in the past decades. Palladium catalyst is the promising alternative; considerably lower cost than Platinum therefore extensively used by the researchers as an alternative catalyst for electrochemical oxidation reactions. To enhance the catalytic performance, use of carbon based nano structured materials, such as the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is reported as catalyst support. Furthermore, recent research suggests the incorporation of metal oxide as a co-catalyst attracts much interest on the Pd catalyst is one of the ways to increase the catalytic activity significantly. Chapter 1 describes an overview of the development of energy sources and various types of conventional and non-conventional energy sources and their common features. Electrochemical technologies, mainly the energy conversion techniques like fuel cells have been briefly explained by their history, various types and reaction mechanisms. Additionally, a detailed literature survey of ethanol, methanol and formic acid fuels used in the transportation sector has also been focused upon Chapter 2 presents the materials and experimental methods adopted for the synthesis of carbon supports and electro-catalysts. This is followed by a discussion of various characterization techniques the structural and electrochemical properties of synthesized electro-catalysts. Chapter 3 discusses the results and discussion on physicochemical and electrochemical characterizations of synthesized supports and electrocatalysts. This chapter divided into four sections which cover Pd based electro-catalyst used in electro-oxidation reactions. The significance of electro-catalyst structures, morphologies and electrochemical properties has been described newline