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

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 Pd 61 Sn 34 Cu 5 nanocrystals (NCs) whose rough surfaces are rich in step atoms and coupled with abundant of SnO x and CuO, which may effectively boost reaction activity and rapidly remove carbonaceous intermediate, respectively. Under the tuning on the composition, the defect rich Pd 61 Sn 34 Cu 5 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 ).