The catalytic activity and stability of electrodeposited PdeCo alloy layers on Au electrode was evaluated for glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) in an alkaline solution. The morphology and structural characteristics of the Pd and PdeCo alloy were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The electro-oxidation of glycerol on the Pd/Au and PdeCo/Au was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and chronoamperometry (CA) techniques. By varying Co concentration in the deposition solution, it was demonstrated that the Pd (61%)-Co (4%) catalyst [denoted PdeCo(3)/Au] has the highest electrocatalytic activity. Obtained results showed that the PdeCo(3)/Au has the excellent activity in terms of the specific peak current density and onset potential compared to pure Pd for oxidation of glycerol. For PdeCo (3)/Au, the onset potential shifts to negative values by 80 mV compared to the onset potential of Pd/Au. The stability tests indicated that the presence of Co has a significant effect on the poisoning tolerance of the Pd toward glycerol electrooxidation. Form the obtained results; one can conclude that the PdeCo alloy exhibits suitable activity as a promising catalyst for alcohol electro-oxidation reactions in fuel cells. Copyright © 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
