Highly Ordered Pd Nanowire Arrays as Effective Electrocatalysts for Ethanol Oxidation in Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells

Abstract

Pd nanowire arrays (NWAs) with high electrochemically active surface area (see figure) are successfully fabricated using anodized aluminum oxide electrodeposition. The electrocatalytic activity and stability of the Pd NWAs for ethanol electrooxidation are not only significantly higher that of conventional Pd film electrodes, but also higher than that of well-established commercial PtRu/C electrocatalysts. The Pd NWAs show great potential as electrocatalysts for ethanol electrooxidation in alkaline media in direct ethanol fuel cells.