Palladium based Bimetallic Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction in Alkaline Solution

The H₂-oxidation reaction (HOR) in alkaline medium is remarkably slower (two order of magnitude) than in acid and its catalysis demands Pt-loadings similar to those required for the reduction of O₂ in Proton Exchange membrane Fuel Cells. In an effort to overcome this limitation with Pt, we have attempted to develop highly active, Pt-free catalysts for HOR. We have prepared Pd-MO_x (M=W or Mo) bimetallic catalysts by galvanic displacement method and chemical reduction method. Catalyst preparations were done in de-oxygenated acidic or alkaline solution to avoid oxide layer formation on W/Mo metal and to facilitate galvanic displacement reaction. The Palladium based bimetallic particles were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, RAMAN, ICP-AES and AFM and their electrocatalytic activity of these materials toward HOR was also tested and compared with commercial catalyst and the results will be presented in this poster.