Palladium catalysts on porous nickel substrates for alcohol fuel cells

Parameters characterizing the active surface of catalytic palladium layers formed from mixed glycinate-chloride and ammonia complexes of palladium(II) were determined. Cyclic voltammetry on a rotating disc electrode was used to study the catalytic activity of nickel substrates and palladium layers in the reaction of methanol and ethanol oxidation in an alkaline medium. It was shown that electrodes with palladium deposited from mixed glycinate-chloride solutions have a higher catalytic activity that those formed from ammonia palladium(II) complexes.