Structural regulation of PdCu2 nanoparticles and their electrocatalytic performance for ethanol oxidation

Two types of PdCu nanoparticles were prepared through one-pot synthesis and a two-step reducing process, named as PdCu-1 and PdCu-2, respectively. The morphology and structure of as-prepared samples were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Results showed that more Pd atoms were buried in the inside of PdCu-1, whereas more available Pd sites were distributed on the surface of PdCu-2. The electrochemical measurements indicated that both PdCu-1 and PdCu-2 nanoparticles showed a higher electrocatalytic activity than that for pure Pd nanoparticles. In particular, PdCu-2 predictably exhibited a better stability and durability as well as a lower onset potential and a higher catalytic current density than that of PdCu-1 toward ethanol oxidation in alkaline media. On the basis of these studies, the formation mechanisms of both the PdCu catalysts and the relationship between their structure and properties were discussed in this paper