A general strategy to the synthesis of carbon-supported PdM (M = Co, Fe and Ni) nanodendrites as high-performance electrocatalysts for formic acid oxidation

Rational synthesis of a new class of electrocatalysts with high-performance and low-cost is of great significance for future fuel cell devices. Herein, we demonstrate a general one-step simultaneous reduction method to prepare carbon-supported PdM (M = Co, Fe, Ni) alloyed nanodendrites with the assistance of oleylamine and octadecylene. The morphology, structure and composition of the obtained PdM nanodendrites/C catalysts have been fully characterized. The combination of the dendritic structural feature and alloyed synergy offer higher atomic utilization efficiency, excellent catalytic activity and enhanced stability for the formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR). Strikingly, the as-synthesized PdCo nanodendrites/C catalyst could afford a mass current density of 2467.7 A g−1, which is almost 3.53 and 10.4 times higher than those of lab-made Pd/C sample (698.3 A g−1) and commercial Pd/C catalyst (237.6 A g−1), respectively. Furthermore, the PdCo nanodendrites/C catalyst also exhibit superior stability relative to the Pd/C catalysts, make it a promising anodic electrocatalyst in practical fuel cells in the future. Additionally, the present feasible synthetic approach is anticipated to provide a versatile strategy toward the preparation of other metal alloy nanodendrites/carbon nanohybrids.