Graphene Oxide as a Stabilizer for “Clean” Synthesis of High-Performance Pd-Based Nanotubes Electrocatalysts

By using graphene oxide (GO) as the stabilizing and dispersing agent in aqueous solution at room temperature, Pd-based (PdTe, PdPtTe, and PdAuTe) nanotubes (NTs)/GO nanocomposites were readily prepared. The obtained GO-supported one-dimensional (1D) Pd-based NTs have relatively uniform morphology and good dispersity. The catalytical properties of PdAuTe NTs/reduced GO (rGO) nanocomposites with different metal ratios were systematically investigated after electrochemical reduction process. Pd47Au33Te20 nanotubes/rGO nanocomposites possess the optimal mass activity (5.31 mA ug–1Pd), which is 5.16-fold that of commercial Pd/C catalyst. The study provides a new strategy for clean synthesis of Pd-based NTs/GO nanocomposites, which are efficient catalysts for ethanol electrooxidation. It will probably inspire more appropriate utilization of graphene to design new hybrid materials with better properties applied in fuel cells or other related fields.