Catalytic activity of polymer-palladium metal nanocomposites in oxygen reduction and hydrogen oxidation reactions

Palladium/Nafion nanocomposites were synthesized by the radiation chemical reduction of palladium ions in reverse micellar solutions. The functional characteristics of the nanocomposites were studied by cyclic voltammetry, spectrophotometry, and scanning electron microscopy. The prepared nanocatalysts revealed a high activity in oxygen reduction and hydrogen oxidation reactions. The catalytic activity of the polymer-metal nanocomposites was shown to depend on the degree of solubilization and palladium nanoparticle size.