Nitrogen-sulphur dual doped reduced graphene oxide-polydiphenylamine supported PdSn nanocomposite: A bimetallic electrocatalyst for methanol electro-oxidation in alkaline solution

In this study, palladium-tin (PdSn) bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared by employing chemical reduction method. The prepared nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) dual-doped reduced graphene oxide-polydiphenylamine nanocomposite sheet (NSRGO-PDPA NC[s]) acts as a support to immobilize PdSn bimetallic nanoparticles. The as-synthesized electrocatalysts were characterized by SEM-EDX, XRD, TEM-EDX, XPS and electrochemical tests. The electrocatalytic efficacy of fabricated PdSn/Pd-NSRGO-PDPA[s]-nickel foil (NF) modified electrodes (MEs) was evaluated for methanol oxidation in 1 M NaOH solution. The results indicated that the NSRGO-PDPA NC[s] support and the moderate inclusion of Sn into Pd can augment electrocatalytic activity for MOR. The synergistic effects from NSRGO[s] and PDPA play a crucial role in distribution/stability of PdSn bimetallic nanoparticles as well as the charge transfer process between the PdSn bimetallic nanoparticles and NF substrate.