Enhanced oxygen reduction reaction performance over Pd catalysts by oxygen-surface-modified SiC

Obtaining a detailed understanding of the surface modification supports is crucial; however, it challenging task for development and large-scale fabrication supported electrocatalysts that can be used as alternatives to Pt-based catalysts oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this study, commercial silicon carbide (SiC) was modified through oxidization (O-SiC) support use Pd nanoparticles (Pd NPs) ORR. The obtained Pd/O-SiC exhibited better ORR activity, stronger durability, higher resistance methanol poisoning than by Pt/C. role in enhancing performance, especially SiC surfaces, discussed detail based on experimental characterizations density functional theory calculations. underlying mechanism superior performance attributed charge transfer from SiCxOy NPs surfaces strong metal–support interactions (SMSIs) between SiCxOy. enhanced activity inducing electron-rich Pd, increased adsorption key intermediate OOH, decreased Gibbs free energy critical step. Furthermore, SMSIs stability catalyst. This study provided facile route designing developing highly active Pd-based electrocatalysts.