Supported PbHfCd electrocatalysts over carbon-hydroxyapatite composite fabricated by precipitation and NaBH reduction methods for glucose electrooxidation

Fuel cells are one excellent option for converting energy through green technology. Due to its accessibility and high-energy density, glucose can be employed as a fuel in fuel cells. In this study, hydroxyapatite (HAp) was prepared by the precipitation method, and carbon-doped HAp supported PbHfCd (PbHfCd/C-HAp) composite electrocatalysts at varying metal ratios for the glucose electrooxidation were synthesized via NaBH reduction method. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), elemental mapping, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate the chemical structure, crystallinity, and morphological characteristics of the PbHfCd/C-HAp. Chronoamperometry (CA), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were utilized to scrutinize the electrocatalytic activity and stability of PbHfCd/C-Haps for glucose electrooxidation. The findings demonstrate that HAp enhances the glucose electrooxidation of PbHfCd alloy. With a specific activity of 4.73 mA/cm, PbHfCd/C-HAp is the most stable and active anode electrocatalyst in this work, outperforming HAp by 4.9 times.