Engineering three-dimensional superstructure of Pd aerogel with enhanced performance for ethanol electrooxidation

A new, straightforward, and one-step method to synthesize self-supported three-dimensional (3D) Pd aerogel utilizing formaldehyde as a reducing agent in an alkaline medium was introduced for the first time in this research. The physicochemical properties investigation of Pd aerogel was conducted using x-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. The electrocatalytic activity of prepared self-assembled nanoarchitecture toward ethanol electrooxidation was examined utilizing cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA). The Pd aerogel on account of the unique morphology and numerous open interconnected pores revealed superior electrocatalytic activity (1016 mAmg-1pd) and enhanced durability toward ethanol electrooxidation in comparison to Pd/C nanocatalyst (281 mAmg-1pd). The larger electrochemical active surface area of the Pd aerogel catalyst (79.14 m2 g-1) led to a boost in current density in the electrooxidation of ethanol in comparison to the Pd/C catalyst (12.34 m2 g-1). We believe that our unique method can be used as a fast and powerful method for the synthesis of used catalysts in various energy-related systems. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.