Simple synthesis of bimetallic AuPd dendritic alloyed nanocrystals with enhanced electrocatalytic performance for hydrazine oxidation reaction

Herein, a simple one-pot successive co-reduction method was developed for synthesis of bimetallic AuPd dendritic alloyed nanocrystals (AuPd DANCs), in which 3-aminopyrazine-2-carboxylic acid was acted as a capping agent. The products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high angle annular dark-field scanning TEM, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic activity and stability of AuPd DANCs were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry toward hydrazine oxidation reaction (HOR), showing the enhanced catalytic performance as compared with AuPd nanocrystals, Pd nanocrystals and commercial Pd black catalysts. Additionally, the catalytic mechanism and kinetics of HOR were further explored by linear sweep voltammetry, showing the potential applications of AuPd DANCs in fuel cells. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.