Oxygen-rich PdSnCu nanocrystals with particle connection features as enhanced catalysts for ethanol oxidation reaction

Abstract

Abstract Most electrocatalysts show a high mass and special activity during the ethanol oxidation reaction, but those still suffer from limited stability, finite renewable capability and poor anti-poisoning durability. Furthermore, the reliable structure and appropriate composition of catalysts are fairly associated with the electrocatalysis performance. Herein, we report the development of trimetallic Pd61Sn34Cu5 nanocrystals (NCs) whose rough surfaces are rich in step atoms and coupled with abundant of SnOx and CuO, which may effectively boost reaction activity and rapidly remove carbonaceous intermediate, respectively. Under the tuning on the composition, the defect rich Pd61Sn34Cu5 NCs exhibit elevated electrocatalysis activity and durability for ethanol oxidation reaction with an optimized mass activity (1.26 A mg Pd − 1 ) and specific activity (10.6 mA cm−2), which is about 2.21 and 2.58 times greater than that of the commercial Pd/C catalyst (0.57 A mg Pd − 1 and 4.1 mA cm−2).