Controllable Synthesis of Web-Footed PdCu Nanosheets and Their Electrocatalytic Applications.

Morphological control of noble-metal-based nanocrystals has attracted enormous attention because their catalytic behaviors can be optimized well by adjusting the size and shape. Herein, the controllable synthesis of web-footed PdCu nanosheets via a facile surfactant-free method is reported. It is discovered that the Cu(II) precursor in this synthetic system displays a critical role in growing branches along the lateral of nanosheets. This work demonstrates a Pd-based alloy nanoarchitecture for efficient and stable electrocatalysis of both ethanal and formic acid oxidation reactions.