Stabilizing CuPd Nanoparticles via CuPd Coupling to WO2.72 Nanorods in Electrochemical Oxidation of Formic Acid.

Stabilizing a 3d-transition metal component M from an MPd alloy structure in an acidic environment is key to the enhancement of MPd catalysis for various reactions. Here we demonstrate a strategy to stabilize Cu in 5 nm CuPd nanoparticles (NPs) by coupling the CuPd NPs with perovskite-type WO2.72 nanorods (NRs). The CuPd NPs are prepared by controlled diffusion of Cu into Pd NPs, and the coupled CuPd/WO2.72 are synthesized by growing WO2.72 NRs in the presence of CuPd NPs. The CuPd/WO2.72 can stabilize Cu in 0.1 M HClO4 solution and, as a result, they show Cu, Pd composition dependent activity for the electrochemical oxidation of formic acid in 0.1 M HClO4 + 0.1 M HCOOH. Among three different CuPd/WO2.72 studied, the Cu48Pd52/WO2.72 is the most efficient catalyst, with its mass activity reaching 2086 mA/mgPd in a broad potential range of 0.40 to 0.80 V (vs RHE) and staying at this value after the 12 h chronoamperometry test at 0.40 V. The synthesis can be extended to obtain other MPd/WO2.72 (M = Fe, Co, Ni), making it possible to study MPd-WO2.72 interactions and MPd stabilization on enhancing MPd catalysis for various chemical reactions.