Synthesis of Bimetallic PdAg Nanoparticles and Their Electrocatalytic Activity toward Ethanol

Abstract

Palladium-based bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) have been studied as important electrocatalysts for energy conversion due to their high electrocatalytic performance and the less usage of the noble metal. Herein, well-dispersed PdAg NPs with uniform size were prepared via oil bath accompanied with the hydrothermal method. The variation of the Ag content in PdAg NPs changed the lattice constant of the face-centered cubic alloy nanostructures continuously. The Pd/Ag molar ratio in the PdAg alloy NPs affected their size and catalytic activity toward ethanol electrooxidation. Experimental data showed that PdAg NPs with less Ag content exhibited better electrocatalytic activity and durability than pure Pd NPs owing to both the small size and the synergistic effect. PdAg-acac-4 with the Pd/Ag molar ratio of 4 : 1 in the start system possessed the highest catalytic current density of 2246 mA/mg for the electrooxidation of ethanol. The differences in the morphology and electrocatalytic activity of the as-made PdAg NPs have been discussed and analyzed.