Synthesis and enhanced electrocatalytic properties of Au/Pd/Pt nanohollows

Well-defined hollow Au/Pd/Pt nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized through a two-step galvanic replacement reaction, which were used as the electrocatalysts for ethanol electrooxidation under alkaline conditions. The Au/Pd/Pt nanohollows (NHs) showed remarkably enhanced catalytic property in comparison with those of the Pd NPs and Au/Pd NHs. Moreover, the electrcatalytic properties of the Au/Pd/Pt NHs were closely dependent on their Pt contents. With increasing the Pt contents, the electrochemical properties of the Au/Pd/Pt NHs gradually enhanced and then lowered. Our results indicated that the Au/Pd/Pt NHs prepared using 22.5 µL H2PtCl6 possessed the most excellent electrochemical properties in comparison with Au/Pd, Pd/Pt, Au/Pt and other Au/Pd/Pt nanocatalysts.