Sains Malaysiana 49(12)(2020): 3145-3154

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2020-4912-26

Electrochemical Reaction and Dissociation of Glycerol on PdAu Surface Catalyst

(Tindak Balas Elektrokimia dan Pemisahan Gliserol pada Permukaan Pemangkin PdAu)

NABILA A. KARIM¹*, NORILHAMIAH YAHYA², MUHAMMAD SYAFIQ¹ & SITI KARTOM KAMARUDIN¹

¹Fuel Cell Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

²Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia

Received: 11 August 2020/Accepted: 11 September 2020

ABSTRACT

Direct Glycerol Fuel Cell is one of the alternative energy that can produce electricity without burning. The production of electricity without combustion can reduce the use of fossil fuel as well as reduce environmental pollution. A new catalyst of PdAu has been synthesized in this study to increase the activity of the glycerol oxidation reaction. Morphologies analysis was performed on CNF-supported synthesized PdAu. FESEM and TEM image show the PdAu supported on the CNF surface. Both PdAu and CNF has a diameter size of 4-6 nm and 80-130 nm, respectively. In CV analysis, PdAu/CNF has produced an oxidation peak and current density at -0.9 V vs. SCE and 70 mA/cm², respectively. Each mechanism of glycerol dissociation step during glycerol oxidation, different atomic active sites are required in PdAu. For example, for glycerol adsorption, Au atom as an active site while for *C₃H₇O₃ requires Pd atom and Au atom as the active site. The Au catalyst model shows better adsorption as Au/CNF has a slightly more negative oxidation peak than PdAu. Nevertheless, the Au catalyst showed less durability compared to PdAu.

Keywords: Electro-catalyst; electrochemical reaction; glycerol; PdAu; surface reaction

ABSTRAK

Sel Bahan Api Gliserol Langsung adalah salah satu tenaga alternatif yang dapat menghasilkan elektrik tanpa proses pembakaran. Pengeluaran elektrik tanpa pembakaran dapat mengurangkan penggunaan bahan bakar fosil serta mengurangkan pencemaran alam sekitar. Mangkin baru PdAu telah disintesis dalam kajian ini untuk meningkatkan aktiviti tindak balas pengoksidaan gliserol. Analisis morfologi dilakukan pada PdAu yang telah disintesis dan disokong oleh CNF. Gambar FESEM dan TEM menunjukkan PdAu disokong pada permukaan CNF. Kedua-dua PdAu dan CNF masing-masing mempunyai ukuran diameter 4-6 nm dan 80-130 nm. Dalam analisis CV, PdAu/CNF telah menghasilkan puncak pengoksidaan dan ketumpatan arus masing-masing pada -0.9 V vs SCE dan 70 mA/cm². Setiap mekanisme langkah pemisahan gliserol semasa pengoksidaan gliserol, tapak aktif atom yang berbeza diperlukan dalam PdAu. Sebagai contoh, untuk penjerapan gliserol, atom Au sebagai tapak aktif sementara untuk *C₃H₇O₃ memerlukan atom Pd dan atom Au sebagai tapak aktif. Model mangkin Au menunjukkan penjerapan yang lebih baik kerana Au/CNF mempunyai puncak pengoksidaan yang sedikit lebih negatif daripada PdAu. Walaupun begitu, mangkin Au menunjukkan daya tahan yang lebih rendah berbanding dengan PdAu.

Kata kunci: Elektro-mangkin; gliserol; permukaan tindak balas; PdAu tindak balas elektrokimia

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*Corresponding author; email: nabila.akarim@ukm.edu.my