PdAu-SnO2 nanoparticles loaded on carbon aerogel for promoting CC bond cleavage in ethanol oxidation and light-assisted enhancement of catalytic activity.

Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) are regarded as a highly promising sustainable energy conversion device due to their high energy density, no pollution, and convenient storage and transportation. However, the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) has problems such as slow kinetics and low selectivity of the C1 pathway. In this study, by constructing the PdAu-SnO2 interface and regulating the electronic structure of Pd, the selectivity of the C1 pathway in the ethanol oxidation reaction was improved. The PdAu-SnO2/CA (Carbon aerogel is abbreviated as CA) catalyst exhibited excellent EOR performance in an alkaline medium, with a mass activity of 7.1 ± 0.1 A·mg-1Pd and a mass activity of 14.2 ± 0.2 A·mg-1Pd under visible light irradiation, which is 12.9 times that of the commercial Pd/C. In situ ATR-SEIRA and Density functional theory (DFT) indicated that the synergistic effect of the PdAu-SnO2 interface significantly promoted the breaking of CC bonds in ethanol and accelerated the oxidation of toxic intermediates, thereby inhibiting the poisoning and deactivation of the catalyst. This work provides a highly selective and highly active catalyst for the ethanol oxidation reaction, which is conducive to promoting the development of clean and sustainable energy technologies.