Bimetallic Pd-Co Aerogel Three-Dimensional Architecture: Developing Self-Assembled Materials for Advanced Ethanol Oxidation

Modern electrocatalysts with unique morphologies have found a special position in sustainable energy-related processes. In this article, an easy, fast, and one-step gelation procedure is introduced to fabricate a three-dimensional Pd-Co aerogel. This engineered aerogel is synthesized by inducing controlled destabilization between the resulting colloidal system from the reduction of metallic ions via sodium borohydride, followed by supercritical carbon dioxide drying. Moreover, the gelation mechanism and the kind of product are investigated in detail. Based on analyses, the connection and expansion of nanowires form an exceptional 3D macrostructure with abundant open interconnected pores and a huge surface area. Constructed aerogel is applied as an efficient macrostructure for the electrooxidation of EtOH molecules and elucidates the significant electrocatalytic activity and stability relative to the Pd/C. The extraordinary performance of the engineered aerogel is because of the following reasons. The unique morphology of the Pd-Co aerogel. The presence of a 3D network with abundant pores facilitates the interaction of EtOH molecules to the outer and inner active sites. Additionally, the downfall of durability (because of carbon corrosion) is removed on account of the self-supporting nature of this resulting 3D architecture. Moreover, the existence of Co as an oxophilic metal not only improves the electronic properties (due to synergistic effects) but also promotes the adsorption of hydroxyl (OH-1) species and intensively influences the electrocatalytic efficiency and durability.