Simple one-pot preparation of Pd-on-Cu nanocrystals supported on reduced graphene oxide for enhanced ethanol electrooxidation

•Well-defined Pd-on-Cu nanocrystals were uniformly supported on RGO by a solvothermal method.•CTAB was served as a structure-directing agent in the present synthesis.•The as-prepared nanocomposites displayed the enhanced electrocatalytic activity and better stability for ethanol oxidation.

A simple, facile, and one-pot solvothermal strategy was developed to prepare Pd-on-Cu nanoparticles evenly distributed on reduced graphene oxide (Pd-on-Cu/RGO) in ethylene glycol systems, using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a structure-directing agent. Control experiments were demonstrated the critical role of CTAB and GO to the final morphology. The as-prepared nanocomposites exhibited the enlarged surface area of 64.98 m2 g−1 Pd, improved electrocatalytic activity, and better stability for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media, which can serve as promising anode catalysts in direct alcohol fuel cells.

Graphical abstractA simple one-pot solvothermal route was designed to prepare well-defined Pd-on-Cu nanostructures supported on reduced graphene oxide in ethylene glycol systems, using CTAB as a structure-directing agent. The as-prepared nanocomposites demonstrated the superior electrocatalytic activity for ethanol oxidation.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide