Snowflake-like Cu2S as visible-light-carrier for boosting Pd electrocatalytic ethylene glycol oxidation under visible light irradiation

Photo-assisted electrocatalytic oxidation alcohol molecule holds promise for both sustainable energy generation and energy conversion in direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). Herein, we demonstrate that snowflake-like Cu2S on which Pd nanoparticles are grown, which acts as an excellent catalyst for ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) under visible light irradiation. The peak current density of Pd -Cu2S electrode reaches to 3254 mA mg(pd)(-1 )under visible light irradiation, which is 1.7 and 5.5 times than that of Pd-Cu2S electrode and commercial Pd/C electrode under dark condition. In the chronopotentiometry experiments, the sustained time of Pd-Cu2S electrode under visible light illumination is 2.9 and 5.0 times longer than that of Pd-Cu2S electrode and commercial Pd/C electrode in dark. These results indicate that Pd-Cu2S catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic activity and stability for EGOR under photoelectric cooperation. Meanwhile, the present work indicates that Cu2S snowflake as the traditional noble metal electrocatalyst carrier demonstrates promising prospects in efficient and stable solar fuel conversion and fuel cell reaction. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.