A general strategy for the facile synthesis of AuM (M = Pt/Pd) alloyed flowerlike-assembly nanochains for enhanced oxygen reduction reaction

In this work, a general strategy was developed for the facile synthesis of bimetallic AuM (M = Pt or Pd) alloyed flowerlike-assembly nanochains (FANs) with the assistance of diprophylline as a structure-directing and stabilizing agent. The morphologies, crystal structures, and compositions of AuPt and AuPd FANs were investigated primarily by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The formation mechanism was discussed in some detail by varying the concentration of diprophylline. The as-prepared AuM FANs displayed improved catalytic activities and better stabilities for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) compared to commercial E-TEK Pt/C, Pt black and Pd black.