Pd/MXene(Ti₃C₂T_x)/reduced graphene oxide hybrid catalyst for methanol electrooxidation

A key challenge in developing direct methanol fuel cells is the fabrication of electrocatalysts with high activity and long durability. Herein, we report a performance enhanced electrocatalyst of nanoscale Pd on MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The mass activity of Pd/Ti₃C₂T_x-rGO (1: 1) hybrid toward methanol oxidation reaction is 753 mA mg^-1, which is 1.7 times than that of Pd/C (446 mA mg^-1). Additionally, the current density of Pd/Ti₃C₂T_x-rGO (1:1) catalyst contains 212 mAmg^-1 which is nine times higher than that of Pd/C (23 mA mg^-1) after 7200 s. The Pd/Ti₃C₂T_x-rGO (1:1) catalyst exhibits excellent cycling stability and long-term life. These remarkable catalytic performances are attributed to the role of Ti₃C₂T_x and rGO in enhancing the catalytic activity surface area and rapid mass/charge transfer due to the synergistic effect between Pd and Ti₃C₂T_x/rGO.