Palladium nanocubes enclosed by (100) planes as electrocatalyst for alkaline oxygen electroreduction

Palladium nanocubes (27, 48, and 63 nm) composed of (100) planes were successfully synthesized for use in oxygen electroreduction in 1-M NaOH electrolyte. The results (at −0.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl) of a rotating ring-disk electrode measurement showed that the specific activities of the 27-, 48-, and 63-nm Pd nanocubes were 3.05 × 10−2, 3.41 × 10−2, and 2.44 × 10−2 mA cm−2, respectively. 48 nm Pd nanocubes exhibited the higher activity than larger nanocubes and 9 nm Pd nanoparticles, where the specific activity of nanoparticles was 2.16 × 10−2 mA cm−2.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights▶ High yield Pd nanocubes (27, 48, and 63 nm) were successfully synthesized for use in oxygen electroreduction. ▶ As determined via electron diffraction, the nanocubes feature {100} structures. ▶ The specific activities of the 27-, 48-, and 63-nm Pd nanocubes were 3.05 × 10−2, 3.41 × 10−2, and 2.44 × 10−2 mA cm−2, respectively. ▶ An approximately 4-electron pathway was happened on these Pd nanocubes.