Block Copolymer-Assisted Solvothermal Synthesis of Bimetallic Pt-Pd Nanoparticles

We report the synthesis of bimetallic Pt-Pd nanoparticles by simultaneous reduction of platinum acetylacetonate and sodium tetrachloropalladate using N,N-dimethylformamide as both solvent and reductant through a solvothermal method. A triblock copolymer, poly(styrene-b-2-vinyl pyridine-b-ethylene oxide), works as a structure directing agent to control the morphology of the nanoparticles by preventing the self-aggregation of small nanocrystals. The homogeneous Pt-Pd nanoparticles exhibit an enhanced electrocatalytic activity and stability compared with commercial Pt black.