Synthesis of Pd–Sn nanoparticles by ultrasonic irradiation and their electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction

Nanoparticles of Pd–Sn were prepared under various conditions by applying ultrasonic irradiation, and their electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction was evaluated in 0.5 M KOH. The average size of Pd–Sn nanoparticles thus prepared was about 3–5 nm. The Pd in Pd–Sn nanoparticles was found to be mostly in the metallic state. The electrocatalytic activity of the Pd–Sn nanoparticles for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is greater than Pt or Pd nanoparticles in alkaline media. The molar ratio of Pd to Sn metal ions in the synthesizing solution, their initial concentrations, the concentration of ethanol, which increases primary hydrogen radicals during sonolysis, and the concentration of citric acid were found to affect the size distribution of the Pd–Sn nanoparticles, and therefore, those factors controlled the electrocatalytic activity for ORR. Particularly, the concentration of citric acid was found to be important for controlling the surface property on Pd–Sn particles to adjust the electrocatalytic activity for ORR.