Study on the electrodissolution and roughening of a palladium electrode in chloride containing solutions

► In situ Raman spectroscopic study of electrodissolution of Pd in Cl− containing media. ► Clarifying potential dependent species involved during the electrodissolution of Pd. ► Micro-nanostructures of Pd electrode by electrodissolution-electrodeposition cycling. ► High electrocatalytic activity of the roughened Pd toward the oxidation of ethanol. ► Reasonable SERS effect of the roughened Pd substrate.