Facile synthesis of bimetallic alloyed Pt-Pd nanocubes on reduced graphene oxide with enhanced eletrocatalytic properties

•Bimetallic alloyed Pt-Pd nanocubes/RGOs were prepared by a simple one-pot solvothermal co-reduction method.•KI and PVP were used as a structure-directing agent and a capping agent, respectively.•The as-prepared nanocomposites display high electrocatalytic performance for ethanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions.

In this work, a one-pot solvothermal method was developed for large-scaled synthesis of well-defined bimetallic alloyed Pt-Pd nanocubes uniformly supported on reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (Pt-Pd nanocubes/RGOs). Herein, poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and KI were employed as a capping agent and a structure-directing additive, respectively, and N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is used as a solvent and a reducing agent. The as-prepared Pt-Pd nanocubes/RGOs exhibited the enlarged electrochemically active surface area, enhanced electrocatalytic activity, and improved stability for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), compared with commercial Pt-C (10 wt %).

Graphical abstractA facile one-pot solvothermal method was developed for preparation of bimetallic alloyed Pt-Pd nanocubes/RGOs. The as-prepared nanocomposites had larger electrochemically active surface area and enhanced electrocatalytic properties for EOR and ORR oxidation, compared with commercial Pt-C (10 wt %).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide