Preparation and characterization of porous sponge-like Pd@Pt nanotubes with high catalytic activity for ethanol oxidation

Porous sponge-like Pd@Pt bimetallic nanotubes (PS Pd@Pt NTs) were prepared by a two-step method for the first time. The as-prepared PS Pd@Pt have an outer diameter of ~45 nm and a thickness of ~5 nm, numerous Pt nanoparticles distribute discontinuously around the surface of Pd NTs. The electro-catalytic behavior of the PS Pd@Pt NTs for ethanol oxidation was studied by using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results indicated that PS Pd@Pt NTs exhibit higher catalytic activity and better stability than Pt nanowires and Pt on Pd nanotubes.