Glycerol-mediated synthesis of Pd nanostructures with dominant {111} facets for enhanced electrocatalytic activity

We report shape-controlled Pd nanoparticles (G-Pd NPs) synthesized by means of polyol process using glycerol as a reducing agent with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) as a capping agent in aqueous solution. The G-Pd NPs consist of triangular and hexagonal plates and decahedron with dominant {111} facets confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis and field-emission transmission electron microscopy. In cyclic voltammograms, the G-Pd NPs exhibit such an improved formic acid electrooxidation due to the metallic nanophases with the dominant {111} facets without any serious agglomeration in comparison with commercial Pd/C.

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► The shape-controlled Pd NPs (G-Pd) are synthesized using glycerol as a reductant.
► The G-Pd NPs of plate and decahedron shape exhibit dominant {111} facets.
► The G-Pd/C shows improved catalytic properties for formic acid electrooxidation.