Engineering Bicontinuous Cu-Pd Nanoplates for Enhanced Ethanol Electrooxidation

The bicontinuous architecture of two-dimensional (2D) noble metal nanocrystals not only increases the effective surface area but also facilitates efficient mass transport, making them highly attractive for electrocatalytic applications. In this study, we report the fabrication of bicontinuous copper-palladium (CuPd) nanoplates through controlled galvanic replacement between Cu nanoplates and Pd precursors, assisted by the synergistic effects of KCl, oxygen, and acetic acid. The resulting 2D structures feature abundant interconnected in-plane channels. Compared with nonporous Pd nanocubes and commercial Pt/C catalysts, the CuPd bicontinuous nanoplates (BCNPs) exhibit markedly enhanced catalytic performance for the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). In situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis confirms that EOR on CuPd BCNPs proceeds through the C₁ pathway, demonstrating their capability in achieving ethanol oxidation to CO₂. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations suggest that the PdCu alloy and an appropriate OH coverage can promote EOR. This work offers a feasible strategy for designing bicontinuous bimetallic nanostructures with controlled dimensions and pore architectures, underscoring the potential of structurally engineered bimetallic nanomaterials as high-performance catalysts for fuel cell applications and beyond.