Hollow Palladium-Gold Nanochains with Periodic Concave Structures as Superior ORR Electrocatalysts and Highly Efficient SERS Substrates

Unique palladium-gold hollow nanochains (PdAu HCs) with 1D architecture and an ultrathin Pd-rich skin exhibit fantastic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) enhancements due to their high conductivity, structural stability, and maximized atomic utilization. More importantly, such PdAu HCs possess periodic concave structures that boost ORR performance. These structures readily form high-density high-index facets, and fewer arc edges. Concave structures can deliver strong strain effects and surface charge accumulation is revealed by off-axis electron holography. In addition, periodic concave structures can provide strong localized surface-plasmon coupling, which means that PdAu HCs have great potential as efficient surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. This study offers a novel and general approach for the design of complex noble metal-based nanostructures as efficient ORR catalysts and SERS substrates.