Simple one-pot preparation of Pd-on-Cu nanocrystals supported on reduced graphene oxide for enhanced ethanol electrooxidation

A simple, facile, and one-pot solvothermal strategy was developed to prepare Pd-on-Cu nanoparticles evenly distributed on reduced graphene oxide (Pd-on-Cu/RGO) in ethylene glycol systems, using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a structure-directing agent. Control experiments were demonstrated the critical role of CTAB and GO to the final morphology. The as-prepared nanocomposites exhibited the enlarged surface area of 64.98   m 2   g −1 Pd, improved electrocatalytic activity, and better stability for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media, which can serve as promising anode catalysts in direct alcohol fuel cells.