Biomolecule-assisted synthesis of porous PtPd alloyed nanoflowers supported on reduced graphene oxide with highly electrocatalytic performance for ethanol oxidation and oxygen reduction

• Porous PtPd alloyed nanoflowers supported on reduced graphene oxide were prepared by a simple, facile, and green co-reduction wet-chemical method.
• Cytosine as a model biomolecule was employed for directing synthesis of porous PtPd alloyed nanoflowers.
• The nanocomposites showed improved electrocatalytic activity and better stability for ethanol oxidation and oxygen reduction.

In this work, we have prepared porous PtPd alloyed nanoflowers uniformly supported on reduced graphene oxide by a simple and facile wet-chemical method, with the assistance of cytosine as a structure-directing agent. The products were mainly characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The as-prepared nanocomposites displayed improved electrocatalytic performances toward ethanol oxidation in alkaline media and oxygen reduction in acidic media, which make it a promising electrocatalyst in fuel cells.

A facile co-reduction wet-chemical approach was developed for synthesis of porous PtPd alloyed nanoflowers uniformly supported on reduced graphene oxide in the presence of cytosine as a structure-directing agent. The as-obtained nanocomposites displayed enhanced electrocatalytic activity for ethanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide