Synthesis and Characterization of AgPd Bimetallic Nanoparticles as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The synthesis of AgPd bimetallic nanoparticles was carried out by a simple polyol method in order to obtain an improved control of the morphology and the particle size. The nanoparticles were characterized using aberration-corrected scanning/transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Also, parallel beam X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out to evaluate the crystallographic structure. High-angle annular dark field (HAADF)-STEM images of the AgPd bimetallic nanoparticles were obtained. The contrast of the images shows that the nanoparticles have an alloy structure with an average size of 10.17 nm and icosahedral morphology. Electrochemical characterization was carried out to analyze the catalytic behavior of the bimetallic nanoparticles. Ag2Pd1/C bimetallic nanoparticles showed a better catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction than Ag/C at room temperature. Furthermore, simulations based on DFT method have been used to describe the crystalline structure of nanoparticles, revealing that the electronic structure is significantly affected by the elemental distribution.

Automated summary

AgPd bimetallic nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple polyol method to improve control over morphology and particle size. Characterization was done using aberration-corrected STEM and X-ray diffraction analysis, showing an alloy structure with an average size of 10.17 nm and icosahedral morphology. Ag2Pd1/C bimetallic nanoparticles exhibited higher catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction than Ag/C at room temperature, with electronic structure significantly affected by elemental distribution according to DFT simulations.