Ultrasound assisted synthesis of carbon supported Pd nanoparticles toward ethanol electrooxidation

•Carbon supported Pd nanoparticles has been synthesized through an ultrasonic way.•Commonly used ultrasonic cleaner was used for the ultrasonic synthesis.•Ethylene glycol was used to reduce chloropalladic acid.•No additional surfactants or protecting reagents were introduced.•The as-prepared catalysts exhibit superior electrocatalytic activity.

Carbon supported Pd nanoparticles can be synthesized through an ultrasound assisted way. Chloropalladic acid can be reduced by ethylene glycol at room temperature with a commonly used ultrasonic cleaner. No additional surfactants or stabilizers were introduced. The Pd nanoparticles were well dispersed on Vulcan XC-72 carbon. The as-prepared catalysts exhibit superior electrocatalytic performance toward ethanol electrooxidation in alkaline solution. The developed method is simple, convenient, effective and environmentally friendly.