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Graphical abstract Highlights • Ag@Pd core-shell structure catalyst can be synthesized by galvanic replacement. • Electron shift in Ag@Pd structure increases local electron density around Pd atom. • Ag@Pd structure can promote phase transformation from Pd0 to PdO state. • Ag@Pd/TiO 2 exhibits higher methanol oxidation activity with a lower Pd loading. Abstract We show that silver palladium bimetallic core-shell structure catalysts supported on TiO 2 substrate (Ag@Pd/TiO 2) are highly active with a low palladium loading for toluene purification in oxidation reaction. The Ag@Pd catalysts were synthesized by galvanic replacement of Pd coating on Ag nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, and scanning TEM with energy dispersive spectrometer confirmed that the catalysts have a core-shell configuration, and are spherical in shape with an average diameter size of about 9.0 nm. The UV–vis absorption spectroscopy and selected area electron diffraction further proved that the intimate contact and different electronegativity of Ag and Pd in core-shell structure result in electrons transferring from Ag core to Pd shell, which increases local electron density around Pd atom. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that such an increase of electron density on Pd active site in Ag@Pd/TiO 2 catalyst can substantially strengthen the chemisorption with reactant of O 2 , further promote the phase transformation from Pd0 metal to PdO oxidation state, and finally maintain the normal operation of Pd0-PdO synergic mechanism during toluene oxidation reaction. Hence, compared to monometallic Pd/TiO 2 catalyst, the as-prepared bimetallic core-shell Ag@Pd/TiO 2 catalyst exhibits greatly higher toluene oxidation activity as a whole although its palladium loading value is just one third of Pd/TiO 2. The high catalytic oxidation activity with a low Pd loading makes the Ag@Pd/TiO 2 a promising catalyst for use in VOCs purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palladium–silver (PdAg) alloy nanospheres with unique structure were prepared using a one-pot procedure based on the galvanic replacement reaction. Their electrocatalytic activity for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media was evaluated. The morphology and crystal structure of the samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Electrochemical characterization techniques, including cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA) measurements were used to analyze the electrochemical performance of the PdAg alloy nanospheres. The SEM and TEM images showed that the PdAg alloy nanospheres exhibit a hierarchical nanostructure with hollow interiors and porous walls. Compared to the commercial Pd/C catalyst, the as-prepared PdAg alloy nanospheres exhibit superior electrocatalytic activity and stability towards ethanol electro-oxidation in alkaline media, showing its potential as a new non-Pt electro-catalyst for direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The mechanism of the oxidation of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone over Pd–Ag catalysts was discussed. Characterization results suggest that the metal composition of the surface of the crystalline Pd–Ag alloy particles is almost the same as the bulk composition. The synergetic effects of Pd and Ag appear on the oxidation of the secondary OH group of vic-diols. The reaction order with respect to glycerol concentration over Pd–Ag/C was zero, suggesting the strong interaction between glycerol and the catalyst surface. The reaction order with respect to O2 pressure was 0.4, suggesting that the rate-determining step is the reaction involving oxygen species. These reaction trends and characterization results support the mechanism where the terminal OH group of glycerol is adsorbed on the Ag site and the neighboring secondary OH group (CH–OH) is attacked by the oxygen species dissociatively adsorbed on the Pd site. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]