Void-Enriched and Highly Strained Porous Au-Ag Nanoalloy as a Bifunctional Electro-Catalyst in Alkaline Direct Alcohol Fuel Cell

A void-enriched and highly strained porous Au-Ag nanoalloy (NPalloy) has been synthesized from Au-Ag core-shell nanostructure by employing a galvanic replacement reaction and introducing Kirkendall voids in it. Obtained NPalloy acts both as an efficient cathodic and anodic material for methanol, ethylene glycol, and glycerol oxidation as well as oxygen reduction reactions simultaneously in an alkaline medium. High catalytic efficacy (low onset potential (E-on) and high current density (j)), wide thermal stability, and positive alcohol tolerance response of NPalloy sets them as a practical bifunctional electrode coating alternative compared to Pt/C in designing an efficient alkaline direct alcohol fuel cell.