Facile synthesis of Pt–Pd nanodendrites and their superior electrocatalytic activity

In this report, well-dispersed porous Pt–Pd nanodendrites (Pt–Pd NDs) were synthesized at high yield by a simple, one-pot, wet chemical method without using any seed, template, or toxic organic solvent. Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and urea were employed as the co-stabilizing and co-structure-directing agents. It was found that the reaction temperature, the amount of PVP and urea, the Pt/Pd molar ratio, and the pH value of the reaction media greatly affected the size and shape of the Pt–Pd product. The as-prepared Pt–Pd nanocrystals had a larger active surface area, superior catalytic activity, and better stability for the electrooxidation of methanol and ethylene glycol (EG), compared with the commercial Pt-black and Pd-black catalysts.