Electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction on electrodeposited Pd coatings on gold

► ORR was studied on electrodeposited Pd/Au electrodes with different Pd loading. ► Specific activity of Pd/Au for ORR in alkaline solution surpasses that of bulk Pd. ► Tafel analysis showed that the ORR mechanism is similar on Pd/Au and bulk Pd. ► Four-electron reduction of oxygen proceeds on Pd/Au in acid and alkaline media.