Self-assembly of Pd Nanoparticles on Anatase Titanium Dioxide and Their Application in Formic Acid Fuel Cells

Based on electrostatic self-assembly technology, Pd electrocatalyst with high efficiency and excellent CO-tolerance, which is supported on TiO2 surface modified by amino-rich, cationic poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), was prepared. Through electrostatic interaction, Pd precursors were uniformly distributed on TiO2 (P) and then in situ reduced into Pd nanoparticles (NPs). in such process, PDDA produced a large number of amine to facilitate the uniform distribution of Pd NPs on the surface of TiO2. After that, Pd/TiO2 (P) was mixed with carbon black as anodic catalysts for formic acid oxidation reaction. Transmission electron microscope images and X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that Pd NPs with an average size of similar to 3 nm were uniformly dispersed on TiO2. Moreover, with the application of cyclovoltammetry and chronoamperometry, we demonstrated the significant enhancement in the electrocatalytic activity and the tolerance toward CO poisoning when compared with Pd/TiO2-C for direct formic acid fuel cells.