Coalescence of Au–Pd Nanoropes and their Application as Enhanced Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract Lattice distortions and defects can lead to a strain effect that greatly affects the electronic structure of the noble metal surface and the chemical adsorption of ligands on the surfaces. Introducing defects is an efficient strategy to improve the activity of noble metal catalysts. Herein, a fusion approach is developed to fine‐tune the defects and lattice strain in Au–Pd nanowires. Specifically, braided strands in Au–Pd nanoropes gradually coalesce to form solid nanowires upon H₂O₂ treatment and heating, leading to a series of Au–Pd nanowires with various amounts of defects. Owing to the 1D morphology, as well as the optimized lattice strain and surface electronic structure, the intermediate Au–Pd nanowire obtained after 60 min heating (denoted as Au–Pd NW₆₀) exhibits excellent catalytic activity and stability toward the oxygen reduction reaction, with the half‐wave potential at 0.918 V, 45 mV higher than that of the commercial Pt/C; and specific activity reaches up to 1.7 mA cm⁻², 7.3 times higher than that of the Pt/C.