One-step synthesis of palladium-gold-silver ternary nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide for the electrooxidation of methanol and ethanol

• A green procedure for preparing a Pd-Au-Ag/RGO electrocatalyst was developed.
• The GO serves as the reducing agent, the stabilizing agent and the support.
• Excellent electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation in alkaline media.

ABSTRACTSimultaneous redox reactions between K2PdCl4, HAuCl4, AgNO3, and graphene oxide (GO) are used to prepare Pd-Au-Ag nanoparticles (NPs) supported on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) by a facile method. The GO serves as the reducing agent, the stabilizing agent and the support. The morphology and composition of the Pd-Au-Ag(1:1:1)/RGO NPs are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements. The prepared Pd-Au-Ag(1:1:1)/RGO has good electrocatalytic activity and stability for the oxidation of methanol and ethanol in alkaline media. This prepared Pd-Au-Ag(1:1:1)/RGO catalyst should have great potential for use in direct alcohol fuel cell.