Niobium dioxide prepared by a novel La-reduced route as a promising catalyst support for Pd towards the oxygen reduction reaction.

ABSTRACT

Strong electron coupling between an active center and support ensures a significant improvement in catalytic performance. Herein, niobium dioxide nanoparticles (NbO2 NPs), prepared by a facile and controllable La-reduced route for the first time, serve as a catalyst support for Pd and demonstrate superior activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In contrast to commercial Pd/C, Pd/NbO2 shows a positive shift of 32 mV in half-wave potential, better robustness and stronger tolerance against methanol, which are attributed to the electron transfer from NbO2 to Pd.