Unveiling the effect of shapes and electrolytes on the electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation activity of self-standing Pd nanostructures

Morphologically controlled Pd-based nanocrystals are the most efficient strategies for improving electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) performance; however, their morphological-EOR activity relationship and effect of electrolytes at a wide pH range still ambiguous. Here, we have synthesized porous self-standing Pd clustered nanospheres (Pd-CNSs) nanocubes (Pd-NCBs) EOR in acidic (H2SO4), alkaline (KOH), neutral (NaHCO3) compared to commercial spherical-like Pd/C catalysts. The fabrication process comprises ice-cooling reduction precursor by sodium borohydride (NaBH4) l-ascorbic acid form Pd-CNSs Pd-NCBs, respectively. significantly outperformed those all electrolytes, but was better KOH than H2SO4 NaHCO3. This is due 3D nanospherical morphology that makes active centers more accessible maximizes utilization during EOR. specific/mass activities reached (8.51 mA/cm2/2.39 A/mgPd) KOH, (2.98 mA/cm2/0.88 H2SO4, (0.061 mA/cm2/0.0083 NaHCO3, addition stability after 1000 cycles. study affirms spherical nanostructures preferred 0D multi-dimensional cube-like nanostructures.