Incorporated palladium nanoparticles on mesoporous zinc ferrite as an effective catalyst for ethanol electrooxidation

A main challenge in the commercialization of polymeric fuel cell is the improved performance of anode electrocatalyst. Recently, the porous structure materials have attracted much attention owing to low density, cheapness, great surface area [1], extra thermal conductivity [2], and easy charge- and mass-transport [3]. In order to disperse the catalytic noble metals and increasing their electrochemical surface area, employment of a porous support seems to be a sufficient solution. In the present work, solution combustion synthesis method (SCS) was utilized to synthesis mesopores zinc ferrite (mZF) powder. In the SCS, a self-sustained exothermic reaction is occurred among organic fuels (e.g., glycine) and oxidizers (e.g., metal nitrates). Gaseous products like H2O, CO2 H2, CO, and N2 that are produced from combustion of organic fuels leading to porous structure. As well as, the morphology and structure of mZF powder were characterized by using scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer. Then, the palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) were deposited onto the surface and into pores of mZF as support. The morphology and status of PdNPs-mZF were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical studies were utilized to determine the characteristics and catalytic activity of PdNPs-mZF towards electrooxidation of ethanol