Carbon supported Au-Pd core-shell nanoparticles for hydrogen production by biomass derived alcohols electroreforming

Electrochemical reforming of renewable alcohols is a novel technique that overcomes the high-energy cost of hydrogen production by traditional electrolytic water splitting (45 kWh kg-1H2). Replacement of the anodic oxygen evolution reaction with the more favorable oxidation of biomass-derived alcohols allows energy savings of up to 45%. Monodisperse faceted icosahedral Au-Pd core-shell nanocrystals of small size (< 15 nm) supported on Vulcan XC-72 carbon (Au-Pd/C) were employed as anode catalyst in alcohol electrochemical reforming cells. Core-shell bimetallic nanoparticle catalysts generally exhibit enhanced activity and selectivity in electrocatalytic reactions as combining metals allow tuning of the electronic and surface structure. The electroreformer was fed with a wide range of renewable alcohols, such as ethanol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, and 1,4-butanediol. Au-Pd/C shows high selectivity for the partial oxidation of the diols to the corresponding mono-carboxylates. These include chemicals like lactate and glycolate that are important industrial intermediates.