Kinetic study of oxygen reduction reaction on palladium nanoparticles supported in thermally treated carbon

The kinetic study of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) using palladium nanoparticles supported in thermally-treated Vulcan® carbon as an electrocatalyst was developed in a 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution. The Vulcan® carbon was thermally treated at 400°C and 600°C. The Pd supported in thermally treated carbon (Pd/TTC) was synthesized by PdCl ₂ reduction with NaBH4 in water at 60°C. The thermally treated carbon (TTC) was evaluated by Raman spectroscopy, whereas the morphology of Pd/TTC was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical activity was studied by rotating disk electrode (RDE) and rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) techniques. The RDE result showed a high activity of the Pd/TTC towards the ORR, this reaction proceeds preferentially via a 4e- pathway. On the other hand, the hydrogen peroxide productions were 4.6% and 6.6% for Pd/(TTC at 400°C) and 600°C, respectively.