A direct one-step synthetic route to Pd-Pt nanostructures with controllable shape, size, and composition for electrocatalytic applications

Pd-Pt branched nanocrystals have been known to exhibit a synergistic effect in many electrocatalytic reactions such as reduction of oxygen and oxidation of small organic molecules. However, Pd-Pt branched structures have generally been synthesized using a two-step seed-mediated approach, which is unbeneficial for large-scale synthesis. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a one-step route to Pd-Pt branched structures. Herein, we developed a direct one-step synthetic route to obtain Pd-Pt structures with controllable shape, size, and composition. In this system, KBr plays a critical role in controlling the size and shape of the Pd-Pt NCs. The resulting Pd₁Pt₅ branched nanocrystals showed 3.4 and 6.2 times higher mass activity toward oxygen reaction and formic acid oxidation than commercial Pt/C, respectively.