Unveiling the Collaborative Strategy and Synergistic Effects of Pd/V₂O₅-fAC towards Glycerol Electrooxidation

A series of Pd nanoparticles supported on V2O5 immobilized on functionalized carbon, % Pd (1, 3, and 5) and % V2O5 (10, 20, and 30), were prepared by sodium borohydride-assisted microwave polyol synthesis for glycerol oxidation reaction (GlyOR) in an alkaline medium. Electrocatalysts loading, temperature, V2O5 immobilization, and their synergistic effect on the electrocatalytic performance are systematically studied. The electrocatalysts ' morphology and electronic properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A significantly improved GlyOR is observed with increased V2O5 content and Pd percentage. The 5 %Pd/30 %V2O5-fAC showed the highest mass activity of 2157.3 mA . mg(Pd)(-1), a more negative onset potential of 0.62 V-RHE, versus the commercial equivalent, and possessed high stability and durability. The increase in electrocatalytic activity is attributed to the effective immobilization of V2O5 on fAC efficient synergism between Pd and V2O5, strong metal support interaction (SMSI), and great exposure of the electroactive sites. The results herein contribute significantly to the understanding of the physicochemical and electrochemical effects of metal oxide immobilization, microwave irradiation, % Pd/% Metal oxide optimization, and SMSI on metal oxide-carbon hybrid electrocatalysts for GlyOR, opening new avenues for fabricating high-performance direct alkaline glycerol fuel cells.