One-step synthesis of AuPd alloy nanoparticles on graphene as a stable catalyst for ethanol electro-oxidation

Room-temperature-ionic-liquid-assisted sputtering with an alloy target is utilized to synthesize the graphene-supported AuPd alloy nanoparticles, whose Au-to-Pd ratio can be well controlled. The preparation process is one-step, free of additives and stabilizers. For direct electro-oxidation of ethanol in alkaline media, the supported AuPd alloy nano particles show much higher catalytic activity compared with a commercial Pd/C catalyst and the monometallic counterpart. The optimal Au-to-Pd ratio is 1:3, and the nanocatalyst of AuPd (1:3) possesses high stability and durability. After 500 cyclic voltammetry test cycles, the anodic peak current density for ethanol electro-oxidation still remains about 91% of the initial one. Furthermore, by quantitatively analyzing the relative reactivity retention, the alloy nanoparticle catalysts with graphene as the support show much higher anti-poisoning performance than the corresponding monometallic catalysts with active C as the support. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.