Abstract
In this work, we prepare a palladium nanoparticle dispersed on polyaniline and polydiphenylamine copolymer (Pd@PANI-PDPA) nanocomposite by in situ oxidative polymerization followed by reduction method. The synthesized Pd@PANI-PDPA nanocomposite morphology, chemical composition, molecular vibrational spectra, and crystallographic structure were analyzed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy with mapping (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) techniques respectively. The electrocatalytic activity of the Pd@PANI-PDPA nanocomposite modified electrode is studied by cyclic voltammetry, impedance, and chronoamperometry studies. The electrocatalyst Pd@PANI-PDPA exhibits higher electrochemical active surface area, excellent activity (lower oxidation potential, significant cyclic stability, and durability) towards methanol and ethanol oxidation reaction in an alkaline medium than pure Pd, Pd@PDPA, Pd@PANI electrocatalyst. The electrocatalyst Pd@PANI-PDPA nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode can be a remarkable anode catalyst for direct alcohol oxidation reaction in the future.
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•Palladium nanoparticle dispersed on polyaniline and polydiphenylamine copolymer nanocomposite was prepared.•Pd@PANI-PDPA decorated on modified glassy carbon electrode as anode for alcohol oxidation reaction.•Remarkable electrocatalytic activity towards methanol and ethanol oxidation reaction.•The electrocatalyst Pd@PANI-PDPA displays outstanding activity, stability and durability higher than pure Pd.