Au@Pd core-shell nanoclusters growing on nitrogen-doped mildly reduced graphene oxide with enhanced catalytic performance for hydrogen generation from formic acid

Here we report a green and facile strategy for the direct nucleation and growth of ultrafine (1.8 nm) and well dispersed Au@Pd core-shell nanoclusters on nitrogen-dopedmildly reduced graphene oxide (Au@Pd/N-mrGO) without any surfactant and additional reducing agent. During the synthesis, N-mrGO acts as both the reducing agent and support by taking advantage of its moderate reducing and high dispersing capacities. Unexpectedly, the as-prepared Au@Pd/N-mrGO hybrid exhibits much greater activity than its alloy or monometallic counterparts toward hydrogen generation from formic acid aqueous solution without using any additive at room temperature.