TiO2@PDA inorganic-organic core-shell skeleton supported Pd nanodots for enhanced electrocatalytic hydrodechlorination

The development of catalysts with high atom utilization and activity is the biggest challenge for electrocatalytic hydrodechlorination (EHDC) technology. Herein, a design strategy of TiO2@PDA inorganic-organic core-shell skeleton for loading lower dosage of noble palladium (Pd) with robust activity is reported. The self-supported TiO2@PDA nanorod arrays provides exposed surface area for anchoring Pd and PDA as interlayer controls the Pd nucleation to form nanodots with high dispersion, realizing high atom utilization. Moreover, the strong interaction between PDA and Pd realizes the coexistence of electron-rich and deficient Pd species with suitable proportion, which facilitate the H* formation and the C-Cl bond activation, respectively, resulting in the promoted activity. The optimal TiO2@PDA/Pd electrode exhibits a low dosage of Pd (0.093 mg cm-2) and excellent activity for 4-chlorophenol reduction with a mass activity (MA) of 23.96 min-1g-1, which is 3.31 times as high as that of TiO2/Pd. The design scheme with inorganic-organic core-shell skeleton as support is benefit for developing highly efficient and lower price elctrocatalysts for EHDC.