Pd-Fe2O3 decorated nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide/CNT nanohybridas electrocatalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Many attempts are being made globally to synthesize and functionalize different nanomaterials to facilitate the commercial application of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. In this work, firstly nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (NRGO) was synthesized and mixed with carbon nanotubes (CNT) followed by the incorporation of Pd- and Fe-content through a combined thermal annealing and polyol process to obtain a unique nanohybrid Pd-Fe2O3 decorated NRGO-CNT to be applied as an effective electrocatalyst. The experimental analyzes suggest thorough distribution of the Pd-Fe2O3 nanoparticles over NRGO and CNT layers. The electrochemical activity of the Pd-Fe2O3/NRGO-CNT nanohybrid showed the enhanced electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) of similar to 44.92 m(2)/g than that of Pt/C similar to 37.86 m(2)/g. The developed nanohybrid also displays remarkable enhancement in their stability in contrast to NRGO-CNT/Pd, NRGO/Pd and commercially available Pt/C catalyst. These interesting features make the developed nanohybrid suitable for fuel cell applications.