Facile synthesis of platinum–ruthenium nanodendrites supported on reduced graphene oxide with enhanced electrocatalytic properties

•A facile strategy is developed for one-pot synthesis PtRu nanodendrites supported on RGO.•HDPC as a shape-directing agent plays a vital role in formation of PtRu nanodendrites.•The porous nanostructures show high electrochemically active surface area.•The nanocomposites display excellent electrocatalytic performance towards EG oxidation.

In this report, a simple and facile solvothermal method is developed for fabrication of platinum–ruthenium (PtRu) nanodendrites supported on reduced graphene oxide (PtRu-RGO) in the ethylene glycol (EG) system, using hexadecylpyridinium chloride (HDPC) as a shape-directing agent. The as-prepared nanocomposites show the superior catalytic activity and better stability towards EG oxidation, compared with RGO-supported Pt nanoparticles and commercial PtRu/C (Pt 30 wt. %, Ru 15 wt. %) catalysts. This strategy may open a new route to design and prepare advanced electrocatalysts in direct EG fuel cells.

Graphical abstractA facile strategy is developed for synthesis of porous PtRu nanodendrites supported on RGO, using HDPC as a shape-directing agent. The as-prepared nanocomposites show the excellent electrocatalytic performance towards EG oxidation.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide