Electrodeposited graphene hybridized graphitic carbon nitride anchoring ultrafine palladium nanoparticles for remarkable methanol electrooxidation.

Exploiting high performance electrocatalysts is crucial for the effective electrooxidation of methanol, although some barriers exist. Herein, we develop a hybrid support composed of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) synergistically anchoring sufficient ultrafine palladium (Pd) nanoparticles via a simple one-step electrodeposition technique. The morphology and structure were characterized by scanning/transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which confirmed that the Pd nanoparticles were massively and uniformly dispersed on the support of g-C 3 N 4 @rGO with a the average particle size of 5.87 nm, deriving from the nitrogen in g-C 3 N 4 contributing to the electron transport highway on the rGO nanosheet layer surface. Furthermore, electrochemical results suggested that the Pd/g-C 3 N 4 @rGO showed a high electrocatalytic efficiency for methanol oxidation with a high current density reached 0.131 mA cm−2. Based on a novel approach to the g-C 3 N 4 @rGO hybrid nanostructure, this work offers a promising method for the design and synthesis for the superior performance methanol electrocatalyst. Reduced graphene oxide hybridized graphitic carbon nitride anchoring Pd nanoparticles hybrid catalyst is prepared via a simple electrodeposition technique. The catalyst exhibits high electrocatalytic activity and long-term durability for methanol electrooxidation reaction. Image 1 • RGO hybridized g-C 3 N 4 anchoring ultrafine Pd is reported. • The hybrid electrocatalyst is achieved via a one-step cyclic voltammetry. • The current density of Pd/g-C 3 N 4 @rGO electrode was 4.5 times that of Pd@rGO. • The electrodeposition technique is rapid, simple and green. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]