Abstract:
Palladium, multi walled carbon nanotube (CNT) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)
composite, (Pd/CNT/PEDOT), is prepared as an electrocatalyst towards Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR).
This composite is characterized using X-Ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared, X-ray Photoelectron
spectroscopy, X-Ray Fluorescence and Scanning Electron Microscopy to understand its properties and
morphological characteristics. AC impedance analysis and the electrochemical analysis are also carried out
to study its catalytic properties. Pd/CNT/PEDOT, which has 10% palladium content out of total mass, shows
competitive performance in catalytic activity in both acidic and basic media and is better than that of
commercially available Pt/C (20% Pt loading). Durability and methanol tolerance are extremely high for this
catalyst. Therefore, this material can be used as the cathode material in Direct Methanol Fuel
Cell applications.
