Synthesis of defect-rich palladium-tin alloy nanochain networks for formic acid oxidation.

Unique and novel PdSn nanochain networks were successfully synthesized with an average diameter of 5 nm, rendering a modified Pd electronic structure with rich defects such as atomic corners, steps or ledges as catalytic active sites for great enhancement of charge transfer and electrode kinetics. The prepared PdSn nanochain networks held an electrochemically active surface area as high as 119.40 m g, and exhibited higher catalytic activity and stability toward formic acid oxidation compared with PdSn nanochain networks, PdSn nanochain networks, PdSn dendrites and Pd/C. The fundamental insight of the enhancement mechanism is discussed, and this work offers a novel, less expensive but highly active catalyst for direct formic acid fuel cells.