Facile synthesis of Ternary Au@PdNi core-shell nanoparticles with enhanced electrocatalytic performance for ethanol oxidation reaction

We report a facile synthesis of ternary Au@PdNi core-shell nanoparticles (C-SNPs). Au NPs with 15 nm in diameter served as seeds, Pd 2+ and Ni 2+ were co-reduced on the surface of Au NPs to obtain C-SNPs. These C-SNPs exhibited outstanding catalytic performance (5891 mA mg Pd −1 ) and stability for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). The activity was 9.48 times higher than the commercial Pd/C (20% wt). The catalytic mechanism was investigated, and the enhanced catalytic performance of Au@PdNi C-SNPs was mainly attributed to electronic effects between Pd and Au/Ni, and the unique core-shell nanostructure . The present work provides a strategy for rational design of ternary metallic core-shell nanocatalysts, which can achieve high catalytic activity and durability.