Flexible synthesis of Au@Pd core–shell mesoporous nanoflowers for efficient methanol oxidation

The design of bimetallic core–shell nanostructures with mesoporous surfaces is considered significant to strengthen the catalytic activity and stability for direct methanol fuel cells. Here, we report a flexible method to synthesize Au@Pd core–shell mesoporous nanoflowers (Au@mPd NFs) with Au core coated with mesoporous Pd nano-petals, in which polymeric micelle-assembled structures are used as templates to induce the formation of mesopores. Benefiting from the electronic and structural effects, Au@mPd NFs show excellent electrocatalytic activity and stability for methanol oxidation reaction in alkaline electrolytes. This study demonstrates a versatile strategy for the fabrication of core–shell mesoporous nanoflowers with adjustable composition.