Simple synthesis of self-supported hierarchical AuPd alloyed nanowire networks for boosting electrocatalytic activity toward formic acid oxidation

Herein, self-supported hierarchical AuPd alloyed interconnected nanowire networks (AuPd NCNs) were fabricated by a one-pot co-reduction method. Theophylline was acted as the capping and structure directing agents. The product was mainly characterized by a series of techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The hierarchical nanostructures had the enlarged electrochemically active surface area (EASA), and the enhanced catalytic activity toward formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR) and strengthened poisoning tolerance for poisoning CO-like intermediates by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, which outperformed commercial Pd black catalyst. This strategy supplies a simple and general method for mass preparation of AuPd NCNs with potential applications in fuel cells. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved