Thermally treated 3-D nanostructured graphene-supported Pd catalyst for significantly improved electrocatalytic performance towards ethanol electrooxidation

Catalyst supports are known to play a critical role in high catalytic performance. A novel nanostructured graphene was obtained by facile thermal treatment of the three-dimensional (3-D) graphene material. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nitrogen adsorption results reveal that the new material is composed of smaller and looser graphene nanosheets, and possesses an ultrahigh specific surface area, large pore volume and rich 3-D interconnected macropores and mesopores. The material was further used to support a Pd catalyst towards ethanol electrooxidation in alkaline media, demonstrating much better electrocatalytic activity in respect of the Pd utility ratio, onset potential and peak current density than that of pristine 3-D graphene material and carbon black, the most popular catalyst support, and thus rendering a promising catalyst support material for fuel cells.