Cu-doped Pd7Te3 nanowires for methanol oxidation under alkaline condition

Highly active and robust electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) are of great significance to the commercial availability of alkaline direct methanol fuel cells (ADMFC). Pd-based nanostructures have received considerable attention in ADMFCs among non-platinum catalysts due to their high activity and tolerance against CO poisoning, which is strongly determined by their composition and structure. Herein, a one-spot hydrothermal method to synthesize Cu-doped Pd₇Te₃ ultrathin nanowires was proposed. The density functional theory calculations show that the Cu doping simultaneously facilitates the desorption of CO^* and adsorption of OH, which refreshes the active sites quickly and thus enhances the electroactivity for MOR. Benefiting from their ultrathin architecture and the modified bonding and anti-bonding d states of Pd, Cu-doped Pd₇Te₃ nanowires show about twofold and threefold mass activity promotion and enhanced durability for MOR when compared to the pure Pd₇Te₃ nanowires and commercial Pd/C catalysts. This work not only provides a simple one-step synthesis strategy for Pd-based nanowire catalysts, but also helps to inspire the catalyst design in ADMFC.

Graphical abstract