Facile synthesis of Pd-Ru-P ternary nanoparticle networks with enhanced electrocatalytic performance for methanol oxidation

Liquid fuel cells have attracted broad research interests for past several decades, especially for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) because of their compact volume, environmentally benign and easy storage. Exploring cost-effective electrocatalysts toward methanol electrooxidation is meaningful for the development of (DMFCs). Herein, a series of PdRu/P network catalysts have been fabricated and modified via a facile and reproducible method taking benzyl alcohol, hydrazine hydrate as solvent and reducing agents, respectively. Profiting from the 3D network structure, the synergistic effect together with the increased electron mobility induced by the addition of nonmetal phosphorous (P). The PdRu/P catalysts display markedly improved efficient electrocatalytic activity with excellent current peak, more negative onset potential, as well as superior long-term stability compared to commercial Pd/C, PdRu and Pd/P prepared under the same condition. In this work, we highlight the effect of the incorporation of nonmetals P on the electrocatalytic performance of PdRu binary catalysts, which will contribute to broadening the application of nonmetal P or even for other nonmetals for electrooxidation. Our efforts will dedicate to accelerating the commercialization of efficient and stable anode catalysts in fuel cells by means of doping transition metals or nonmetals into Pd.