Synthesis of defect-rich palladium-tin alloy nanochain networks for formic acid oxidation

Unique and novel Pd₄Sn nanochain networks were successfully synthesized with an average diameter of 5 nm, rendering a modified Pd electronic structure with rich defects such as atomic corners, steps or ledges as catalytic active sites for great enhancement of charge transfer and electrode kinetics. The prepared Pd₄Sn nanochain networks held an electrochemically active surface area as high as 119.40 m² g^-1, and exhibited higher catalytic activity and stability toward formic acid oxidation compared with Pd₃Sn nanochain networks, Pd₅Sn nanochain networks, Pd₄Sn dendrites and Pd/C. The fundamental insight of the enhancement mechanism is discussed, and this work offers a novel, less expensive but highly active catalyst for direct formic acid fuel cells.