A simple one-pot strategy to platinum–palladium@palladium core–shell nanostructures with high electrocatalytic activity

• PtPd@Pd core–shell nanospheres are synthesized by a one-step co-reduction method.
• This method is simple and facile, without any seed, template, or organic solvent.
• The nanocrystals exhibit the improved electrocatalytic activity towards ORR.
• The nanocrystals show the enhanced electrocatalytic activity for methanol and EG oxidation.

Well-defined platinum–palladium@palladium core–shell nanospheres (PtPd@Pd NSs) are synthesized by a facile one-pot solution approach using N-methylimidazole and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as directing and capping agents, respectively, without using any seed, template, or organic solvent. The coexistence of the precursors, N-methylimidazole, PVP, and reaction temperature has great effects on the final morphology. Thus-prepared nanocomposites display an improved electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acidic media, methanol and ethylene glycol oxidation reaction in alkaline media, compared with Pt nanoparticles, Pd nanoparticles, commercial Pt black and Pd black catalysts. This method may direct a general orientation for shape control synthesis of functional bimetallic nanocrystals as promising electrocatalysts in direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs).

A simple, facile, and one-step co-reduction route was developed for preparation of PtPd@Pd core–shell nanospheres, without using any seed, template, or organic solvent. The as-prepared nanocrystals display the enhanced electrocatalytic activity and stability for oxygen reduction reaction in acidic media, methanol and ethylene glycol oxidation reaction in alkaline media.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide