A green method to prepare Pd–Ag nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide and their electrochemical catalysis of methanol and ethanol oxidation

•The process without any dispersants, Ag–Pd bimetallic nanoparticles homogeneously distribute on the support.•The reduction of Ag+, K4Pd2− and GO depends on the reaction between AgNO3, K2PdCl4 and GO instead of reductant.•The samples have better catalytic property for alcohol electrocatalytic oxidation than many other Pd-based catalysts.

Bimetallic palladium–silver nanoparticles (NPs) supported on reduced oxide graphene (RGO) with different Pd/Ag ratios (Pd–Ag/RGO) were prepared by an easy green method which did not use any additional reducing agents or a dispersing agent. During the process, simultaneous redox reactions between AgNO3, K2PdCl4 and graphene oxide (GO) led to bimetallic Pd–Ag NPs. The morphology and composition of the Pd–Ag/RGO were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and Raman spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used to investigate the electrochemical activities and stabilities of these Pd–Ag/RGO catalysts for the electro-oxidation of methanol and ethanol in alkaline media. Among the different Pd/Ag ratios, the Pd–Ag (1:1)/RGO had the best catalytic activities and stability. So it is a promising catalyst for direct alcohol fuel cell applications.