title: Catalytic Oxidation of Hydroquinone in Aqueous Solution over Bimetallic PdCo Catalyst Supported on Carbon: Effect of Interferents and Electrochemical Measurement.
abstract: Palladium-cobalt alloy nanoparticles were synthesized and dispersed on carbon black support, aiming to have a less expensive catalyst. Catalytic behaviors of PdCo/C catalyst for the oxidation of hydroquinone (HQ) with H2O2 in aqueous solution were evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results revealed that PdCo/C catalyst had better catalytic activity than an equal amount of commercial Pd/C and Co/C catalysts because of the d-band hybridization between Pd and Co. The effects of pH value, solvent, and various interferents including inorganic and organic compounds on the efficiency of HQ oxidation were further investigated. Furthermore, on the basis of mixed potential theory, comprehensive electrochemical measurements such as the open-circuit potential-time (OCP-t) technique and Tafel plot were efficient to assess the catalytic activity of the catalyst, and the results obtained were consistent with those of HPLC measurements. The efficient HQ oxidation was closely associated with the catalytic activity of PdCo nanoparticles because they accelerated the electron-transfer process and facilitated the generation of OH radicals.
authors.forename: Weichun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Xuezhao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Yane
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Chenghui
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Chunming
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Wrocław University of Technology , PL-50370 Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Budzianowski
authors.forename: Desheng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xue
keywords: PdCo alloy nanoparticles; free radicals; interferences; mixed potential measurement; oxidation of hydroquinone