Ionic liquid-assisted synthesis of unusual Pd particles with enhanced electrocatalytic performance for ethanol and methanol oxidation

A facile ionic liquid-assisted route is proposed for the morphology-controllable synthesis of Pd particles in benzyl alcohol solution. Flower-like, raspberry-like and chain-like Pd particles can be synthesized by the present route. Specifically, the flower-like particles are constructed with concave tetrahedral subunits which are completely different from the reported inorganic flower-like particles usually with flat flakes. The ionic liquid played an important role in the formation of these interesting particles. In particular, the synthesized flower-like Pd particles exhibited remarkably improved electrocatalytic activity towards ethanol and methanol oxidation compared with that of the commercial Pd black catalyst.