Synthesis of Alloyed Pd−Pb Nanowire Networks for Electrocatalytic Ethanol Oxidation with High Stability

Abstract Nowadays, with the importance of energy problems, alloyed palladium‐based electrocatalysts in low‐dimension have become more and more popular in electrocatalysis. Here Pd−Pb nanowire networks (NNWs) were synthesized hydrothermally with different Pd/Pb molar ratios from 8 : 1 to 3 : 1 and they exhibited excellent electrochemical performance toward ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). Pd₆Pb₁ NNW presented the network structure along with the smallest diameter and exhibited a high catalytic activity, excellent stability and great toxicity resistance toward EOR in alkaline conditions. The catalytic current density of the Pd₆Pb₁ NNW for EOR under alkaline conditions was 2344 mA mg⁻¹, while 2174, 1936 and 1728 mA mg⁻¹ for Pd₈Pb₁, Pd₄Pb₁ and Pd₃Pb₁ NNWs, respectively. It was worth mentioning that Pd₆Pb₁ NNW had a low activity loss and ended with 92.9% of its own maximum current density after 300 cycling, much better than that of commercial Pd/C. The positive correlation effects of catalytic temperatures and concentrations of KOH and/or ethanol concentrations for Pd−Pb NNWs were observed and discussed based on the electrochemical measurements.