Ni-doped hyperbranched PdCu nanocrystals for efficient electrocatalytic borohydride oxidation

The rational design and engineering of high-performance and stable electrocatalysts for the borohydride oxidation reaction (BOR) is imperative for the development of direct borohydride fuel cells. In this work, we report a one-pot strategy for the self-assembly of Ni-doped hyperbranched PdCu nanocrystals (Ni–PdCu NCs) using polyethylene oxide as the structure-directing agent in the presence of bromide ions. Benefitting from the branched nanoarchitectures, high active sites, and trimetallic compositions, the as-fabricated Ni–PdCu NCs exhibit superior electrocatalytic performance to PdCu NCs and Pd/C towards the BOR in 1.0 M KOH containing 50 mM NaBH4, as well as better durability due to the higher resistance to BHx intermediates. The present work provides a facile route for the design of multi-metal electrocatalysts with a hyperbranched structure for direct borohydride fuel cells.