Ultrasound assisted synthesis of carbon supported Pd nanoparticles toward ethanol electrooxidation

• Carbon supported Pd nanoparticles has been synthesized through an ultrasonic way.
• Commonly used ultrasonic cleaner was used for the ultrasonic synthesis.
• Ethylene glycol was used to reduce chloropalladic acid.
• No additional surfactants or protecting reagents were introduced.
• The as-prepared catalysts exhibit superior electrocatalytic activity.

Carbon supported Pd nanoparticles can be synthesized through an ultrasound assisted way. Chloropalladic acid can be reduced by ethylene glycol at room temperature with a commonly used ultrasonic cleaner. No additional surfactants or stabilizers were introduced. The Pd nanoparticles were well dispersed on Vulcan XC-72 carbon. The as-prepared catalysts exhibit superior electrocatalytic performance toward ethanol electrooxidation in alkaline solution. The developed method is simple, convenient, effective and environmentally friendly.