Enhanced stability and activity with Pd-O junction formation and electronic structure modification of palladium nanoparticles supported on exfoliated montmorillonite for the oxygen reduction reaction.

Palladium has been the focus of recent research on alternative Pt catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We show that the activity and stability of Pd toward the ORR can be enhanced by Pd-O-oxide covalent bonding when Pd is supported on exfoliated montmorillonite (ex-MMT) nanoplatelets.