A nanoflower shaped gold-palladium alloy on graphene oxide nanosheets with exceptional activity for electrochemical oxidation of ethanol

We report on a new and facile method for the preparation of well-dispersed gold-palladium (AuPd) flower-shaped nanostructures on sheets of graphene oxide (GO). Transmission electron microscopy and high angle annular dark field STEM were used to characterize the morphology and composition of the new nanohybrids. The AuPd/GO composites display high electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of ethanol in strongly alkaline medium as examined by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Both the current density (13.16 mA?·?cm^?2 at a working potential of ?0.12 V) and the long-time stability are superior to a commercial Pd-on-carbon catalyst which is attributed to the cooperative action of the catalytic activities of Au and Pd, and the good dispersion of the alloy on the nanosheets.

Kinetics of ethylene glycol electrooxidation on the noble metal-based nano-catalysts

A comparative electrooxidation of Eg in the alkaline solution was investigated over Pt, Pd and Au nanoparticle-modified carbon-ceramic electrode. The kinetic parameters of Eg oxidation, i.e., Tafel slope and activation energy (E _a), were determined on the modified electrodes. The lowest E _a value of 8.9 kJ mol^?1 was calculated on Pt|CCE. In continuation, the reaction orders with respect to the Eg and NaOH concentrations on Pd|CCE were found to be 0.4–0.2 and 0.6, respectively. An adsorption equilibrium constant (b) of 22.36 M^?1 and the adsorption Gibbs energy change (ΔG°) of ?7.7 kJ mol^?1 were obtained on Pd|CCE. The chronopotentiometry (CP) and chronoamperometry (CA) results showed that Pd|CCE and then Au|CCE have better performance stability than Pt|CCE for Eg electrooxidation. Additionally, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) suggested faster electron-transfer kinetics on Pt than that on the Pd and Au electrocatalysts.     

Atomically Dispersed Pt on Screw-like Pd/Au Core-shell Nanowires for Enhanced Electrocatalysis

Engineering noble metal nanostructures at the atomic level can significantly optimize their electrocatalytic performance and remarkably reduce their usage. We report the synthesis of atomically dispersed Pt on screw-like Pd/Au nanowires by using ultrafine Pd nanowires as seeds. Au can selectively grow on the surface of Pd nanowires by an island growth pattern to fabricate surface defect sites to load atomically dispersed Pt, which can be confirmed by X-ray absorption fine structure measurements and aberration corrected HRTEM images. The nanowires with 2.74 at % Pt exhibit superior HER properties in acidic solution with an overpotential of 20.6 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² and enhanced alkaline ORR performance with a mass activity over 15 times greater than the commercial platinum/carbon (Pt/C) catalysts.     

A Single-Atom Manipulation Approach for Synthesis of Atomically Mixed Nanoalloys as Efficient Catalysts

Synthesis of well-defined atomically mixed alloy nanoparticles on desired substrates is an ultimate goal for their practical application. Herein we report a general approach for preparing atomically mixed AuPt, AuPd, PtPd, AuPtPd NAs(nanoalloys) through single-atom level manipulation. By utilizing the ubiquitous tendency of aggregation of single atoms into nanoparticles at elevated temperatures, we have synthesized nanoalloys on a solid solvent with CeO₂ as a carrier and transition-metal single atoms as an intermediate state. The supported nanoalloys/CeO₂ with ultra-low noble metal content (containing 0.2 wt % Au and 0.2 wt % Pt) exhibit enhanced catalytic performance towards complete CO oxidation at room temperature and remarkable thermostability. This work provides a general strategy for facile and rapid synthesis of well-defined atomically mixed nanoalloys that can be applied for a range of emerging techniques.     

Electrooxidation of 2-propanol on Pt, Pd and Au in alkaline medium

Pd and Au are investigated as electrocatalysts for 2-propanol oxidation and compared with the conventional catalyst of Pt in alkaline medium. The current density for 2-propanol oxidation on Pd electrode is much higher than that on Pt electrode. The onset potential for 2-propanol oxidation on Pd electrode is more negative compared with that on Pt electrode. The results show that Pd is a good electrocatalyst for 2-propanol oxidation and the activity for the electrooxidation of 2-propanol is higher than Pt and Au in alkaline medium. Pd has higher electrocatalytic activity and better stability for the electrooxidation of 2-propanol. The present study shows a promising choice of Pd as effective electrocatalyst for 2-propanol electrooxidation in alkaline medium.     

Nonenzymatic Electrochemical Glucose Sensor Based on Pt Nanoparticles/Mesoporous Carbon Matrix

A nonenzymatic amperometric sensor for sensitive and selective detection of glucose has been constructed by using highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles supported onto mesoporous carbons (MCs). The Pt nanoparticles/mesoporous carbons (Pt/MCs) composites modified electrode displayed high electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of glucose. At an applied potential of 0.1 V, the Pt/MCs electrode has a linear dependence (R=0.996) in the glucose concentration up to 7.5 mM with a sensitivity of 8.52 mA M^?1 cm^?2. The Pt/MCs electrode has also shown highly resistant toward poisoning by chloride ions and without interference from the oxidation of common interfering species.     

A Single‐Atom Manipulation Approach for Synthesis of Atomically Mixed Nanoalloys as Efficient Catalysts

Synthesis of well‐defined atomically mixed alloy nanoparticles on desired substrates is an ultimate goal for their practical application. Herein we report a general approach for preparing atomically mixed AuPt, AuPd, PtPd, AuPtPd NAs(nanoalloys) through single‐atom level manipulation. By utilizing the ubiquitous tendency of aggregation of single atoms into nanoparticles at elevated temperatures, we have synthesized nanoalloys on a solid solvent with CeO₂ as a carrier and transition‐metal single atoms as an intermediate state. The supported nanoalloys/CeO₂ with ultra‐low noble metal content (containing 0.2 wt % Au and 0.2 wt % Pt) exhibit enhanced catalytic performance towards complete CO oxidation at room temperature and remarkable thermostability. This work provides a general strategy for facile and rapid synthesis of well‐defined atomically mixed nanoalloys that can be applied for a range of emerging techniques.     

The Fabrication and Characterization of a Nickel Nanoparticle Modified Boron Doped Diamond Electrode for Electrocatalysis of Primary Alcohol Oxidation

We report the fabrication of a Ni nanoparticle modified BDD electrode and its application in the electrocatalysis of primary alcohol electrooxidation. Modification was achieved via electrodeposition from Ni(NO₃)₂ dissolved in sodium acetate solution (pH 5). Characterization of the Ni‐modified BDD (Ni‐BDD) was performed using ex situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) and high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). Large nanoparticles of nickel were observed on the BDD surface ranging 5 to 690 nm in height and 0.18 μm^?3 in volume, and an average number density of ca. 13×10⁶ nanoparticles cm^?2 was determined. The large range of sizes suggests progressive rather than instantaneous nucleation and growth. Electrocatalysis of ethanol and glycerol, was conducted in an alkaline medium using an unmodified BDD, Ni‐BDD and a bulk Ni macro electrode. The Ni‐BDD electrode gave the better electrocatalytic performance, with glycerol showing the greatest sensitivity. Linear calibration plots were obtained for the ethanol and glycerol additions over concentration ranges of 2.8–28.0 mM and 23–230 μM respectively. This gave an ethanol limit of detection of 1.7 mM and sensitivity of 0.31 mA/M, and the glycerol a limit of detection of 10.3 μM with a sensitivity of 35 mA/M.     

Highly Efficient AuPd/Carbon Nanotube Nanocatalysts for the Electro‐Fenton Process

Development of novel nanocatalysts for the highly efficient in situ synthesis of H₂O₂ from H₂ and O₂ in the electro‐Fenton (EF) process has potential for the remediation of water pollution. In this work, AuPd/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocatalysts were successfully synthesized by the facile aggregation of AuPd bimetals on CNTs. Characterization by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that pure AuPd bimetallic heterogeneous nanospheres (≈20 nm) were well dispersed outside the CNTs, which resulted in better catalytic performance than Pd/CNTs alone: 0.36 M H₂O₂ was synthesized; 0.05 M Fe²⁺ optimally initiated the EF process due to the superior in situ Fe²⁺ regeneration; and the organic pollutant removal reached 100 % at 37 min, with a pseudo‐first‐order kinetic constant k₁=0.051 min^?1. Moreover, structural insights before/after catalysis revealed that Au strengthened the construction of the nanocrystals, avoided negative deactivation caused by AuPd agglomeration, and immobilized the active Pd(111). The catalytic stability of AuPd/CNTs over ten cycles implied long durability and promising applications of this material.     

Electrooxidation of hydroquinone on simply prepared Au-Pt bimetallic nanoparticles

A facile method was used to prepare gold-platinum (Au-Pt) catalysts by direct electrodeposition via cyclic voltammetry in an acidic medium. Various parameters that affect the properties of electrodeposited catalysts were investigated such as initial applied potential, scan rate and deposition time. Initial applied potential plays a more important role in the preparation of bimetallic nanoparticles (AuPtNPs) since the kinetics of electrodeposition is in competition with the rate of hydrogen evolution. The AuPtNPs electrodeposited on pencil graphite (PG) were used to study the electrooxidation of hydroquinone. Various parameters such as pH, scan rate, concentration of hydroquinone and temperature were studied in the electrooxidation process. Apparent activation energy (E _a) for the electrooxidation of hydroquinone, calculated from the Arrhenius plot, shows that AuPtNPs catalysts (electrodeposited on the PG) offer less activation energy (ca. 9.500 kJ mol^?1) than the bare PG (ca. 10.345 kJ mol^?1). The AuPtNPs/PG shows better catalytic performance than the PG electrode due to the greater surface area it provides, thus resulting in more active sites available for adsorption of hydroquinone molecules on the surface of the catalyst.     

Advanced Catalytic Performance of Au–Pt Double‐Walled Nanotubes and Their Fabrication through Galvanic Replacement Reaction

Bimetallic tubular nanostructures have been the focus of intensive research as they have very interesting potential applications in various fields including catalysis and electronics. In this paper, we demonstrate a facile method for the fabrication of Au–Pt double‐walled nanotubes (Au–Pt DWNTs). The DWNTs are fabricated through the galvanic displacement reaction between Ag nanowires and various metal ions, and the Au–Pt DWNT catalysts exhibit high active catalytic performances toward both methanol electro‐oxidation and 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) reduction. First, they have a high electrochemically active surface area of 61.66 m² g^?1, which is close to the value of commercial Pt/C catalysts (64.76 m² g^?1), and the peak current density of Au–Pt DWNTs in methanol oxidation is recorded as 138.25 mA mg^?1, whereas those of Pt nanotubes, Au/Pt nanotubes (simple mixture), and commercial Pt/C are 24.12, 40.95, and120.65 mA mg^?1, respectively. The Au–Pt DWNTs show a markedly enhanced electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation compared with the other three catalysts. They also show an excellent catalytic performance in comparison with common Au nanotubes for 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) reduction. The attractive performance exhibited by these prepared Au–Pt DWNTs can be attributed to their unique structures, which make them promising candidates as high‐performance catalysts.     

Pd/Pt core–shell nanowire arrays as highly effective electrocatalysts for methanol electrooxidation in direct methanol fuel cells

Highly ordered Pd/Pt–core–shell nanowire arrays (Pd/Pt NWAs) have been prepared by anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template-electrodeposition and magnetron sputtering methods. Pd/Pt NWA electrode shows a very high electrochemical active surface area and high electrocatalytic activity for the methanol electrooxidation in acid medium for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The mass specific anodic peak current density is 756.7 mA mg⁻¹ Pt for the methanol oxidation on the Pd/Pt NWA electrode, an increase by a factor of four as compared to conventional E-TEK PtRu/C electrocatalysts. The mechanism of the significant enhancement of the Pd/Pt core/shell NWA nanostructure in the efficiency and electrocatalytic activity of Pt for the methanol electrooxidation in acid medium is discussed.     

Amperometric biosensors based on deposition of gold and platinum nanoparticles on polyvinylferrocene modified electrode for xanthine detection

In this study, new xanthine biosensors, XO/Au/PVF/Pt and XO/Pt/PVF/Pt, based on electroless deposition of gold(Au) and platinum(Pt) nanoparticles on polyvinylferrocene(PVF) coated Pt electrode for detection of xanthine were presented. The amperometric responses of the enzyme electrodes were measured at the constant potential, which was due to the electrooxidation of enzymatically produced H₂O₂. Compared with XO/PVF/Pt electrode, XO/Au/PVF/Pt and XO/Pt/PVF/Pt exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of the analyte. Effect of Au and Pt nanoparticles was investigated by monitoring the response currents at the different deposition times and the different concentrations of KAuCl₄ and PtBr₂. Under the optimal conditions, the calibration curves of XO/Au/PVF/Pt and XO/Pt/PVF/Pt were obtained over the range of 2.5 × 10^?3 to 0.56 mM and 2.0 × 10^?3 to 0.66 mM, respectively. The detection limits were 7.5 × 10^?4 mM for XO/Au/PVF/Pt and 6.0 × 10^?4 mM for XO/Pt/PVF/Pt. The effects of interferents, the operational and the storage stabilities of the biosensors and the applicabilities of the proposed biosensors to the drug samples analysis were also evaluated.     

Composition-Controllable AuPt Alloy Catalysts for Electrooxidation of Formic Acid

AuPt alloy catalysts with various compositions have been successfully prepared simply by one-step co-reduction of Au and Pt precursors involving sodium citrate as stabilizer and reductant. XRD, TEM and EDX element mapping analysis confirmed that the resulting AuPt nanoparticles are single-phase alloys rather than random mixtures of tiny Au and Pt particles. Compared with Pt/C, alloying Au with Pt can effectively alter the kinetic process of formic acid oxidation, reducing the generation of CO-like intermediates. Au₈₁Pt₁₉ displays superior electrocatalytic activity and durability, ~11 times in the mass activity better than commercial Pt/C and may be of practical significance for the commercialization of direct formic acid fuel cell.

     

Supramolecular immobilization of glucose oxidase on gold coated with cyclodextrin-modified cysteamine core PAMAM G-4 dendron/Pt nanoparticles for mediatorless biosensor design

Cysteamine core polyamidoamine G-4 dendron branched with β-cyclodextrins was chemisorbed on the surface of Au electrodes and further coated with Pt nanoparticles. Adamantane-modified glucose oxidase was subsequently immobilized on the nanostructured electrode surface by supramolecular association. This enzyme electrode was used to construct a reagentless amperometric biosensor for glucose, making use of the electrochemical oxidation of H₂O₂ generated in the enzyme reaction. The amperometric response of the biosensor was rapid (6 s) and a linear function of glucose concentration between 5 and 705 μmol?L^?1. The biosensor had a low detection limit of 2.0 μmol?L^?1, sensitivity of 197 mA?mol^?1?L?cm^?2, and retained 94 % of its initial response after storage for nine days at 4 °C.     

Characteristic of hydrogen-saturated Pd-based alloys for the application in electrochemical capacitors

Hydrogen electrosorption was performed in thin electrodeposits of Pd alloys with Pt, Au, and Rh. The possibility of their application as phase charging–discharging systems was investigated. The values of specific pseudocapacitance, power, and energy were calculated for hydrogen-saturated Pd-rich electrodes for temperatures 283–313 K. The best working parameters are exhibited by Pd–Rh alloys with 85–95% Pd, and by Pd–Pt alloys with 90–95% Pd in the bulk. The maximum values of specific pseudocapacitance are ca. 4,500 F?g^?1, specific energy ca. 150 J?g^?1 and specific power up to 750 W?g^?1 (per the mass of the electroactive material). In the case of the alloy deposits on reticulated vitreous carbon, their characteristics related to the total mass of the electroactive material and the substrate are comparable with those for other supercapacitors utilizing various redox reactions.     

The Direct Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide Using Platinum‐Promoted Gold–Palladium Catalysts

The direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide offers a potentially green route to the production of this important commodity chemical. Early studies showed that Pd is a suitable catalyst, but recent work indicated that the addition of Au enhances the activity and selectivity significantly. The addition of a third metal using impregnation as a facile preparation method was thus investigated. The addition of a small amount of Pt to a CeO₂‐supported AuPd (weight ratio of 1:1) catalyst significantly enhanced the activity in the direct synthesis of H₂O₂ and decreased the non‐desired over‐hydrogenation and decomposition reactions. The addition of Pt to the AuPd nanoparticles influenced the surface composition, thus leading to the marked effects that were observed on the catalytic formation of hydrogen peroxide. In addition, an experimental approach that can help to identify the optimal nominal ternary alloy compositions for this reaction is demonstrated.     

Ultrathin Palladium Nanomesh for Electrocatalysis

An ordered mesh of palladium with a thickness of about 3 nm was synthesized by a solution‐based oxidative etching. The ultrathin palladium nanomeshes have an interconnected two‐dimensional network of densely arrayed, ultrathin quasi‐nanoribbons that form ordered open holes. The unique mesoporous structure and high specific surface area make these ultrathin Pd nanomeshes display superior catalytic performance for ethanol electrooxidation (mass activity of 5.40 Am g^?1 and specific activity of 7.09 mA cm^?2 at 0.8 V vs. RHE). Furthermore, the regular mesh structure can be applied to support other noble metals, such as platinum, which exhibits extremely high hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity and durability.     

A General and High‐Yield Galvanic Displacement Approach to Au?M (M=Au,Pd, and Pt) Core–Shell Nanostructures with Porous Shells and Enhanced Electrocatalytic Performances

In this work, we utilize the galvanic displacement synthesis and make it a general and efficient method for the preparation of Au? M (M=Au, Pd, and Pt) core–shell nanostructures with porous shells, which consist of multilayer nanoparticles. The method is generally applicable to the preparation of Au? Au, Au? Pd, and Au? Pt core–shell nanostructures with typical porous shells. Moreover, the Au? Au isomeric core–shell nanostructure is reported for the first time. The lower oxidation states of Au^I, Pd^II, and Pt^II are supposed to contribute to the formation of porous core–shell nanostructures instead of yolk‐shell nanostructures. The electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance of porous Au? Pd core–shell nanostructures are assessed as a typical example for the investigation of the advantages of the obtained core–shell nanostructures. As expected, the Au? Pd core–shell nanostructure indeed exhibits a significantly reduced overpotential (the peak potential is shifted in the positive direction by 44 mV and 32 mV), a much improved CO tolerance (I_f/I_b is 3.6 and 1.63 times higher), and an enhanced catalytic stability in comparison with Pd nanoparticles and Pt/C catalysts. Thus, porous Au? M (M=Au, Pd, and Pt) core–shell nanostructures may provide many opportunities in the fields of organic catalysis, direct alcohol fuel cells, surface‐enhanced Raman scattering, and so forth.