Green synthesis of Au@N-CQDs@Pd core-shell nanoparticles for enhanced methanol electrooxidation

A strategy for the synthesis of Au@N-CQDs@Pd three-layer core-shell nanoparticles without the use of any surfactant is proposed in this work. Herein, N-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) are used as the reducing agent, stabilizing agent, and shape-directing agent. The morphology and structure of the final product were characterized by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The electrocatalytic test indicates the as-synthesized Au@N-CQDs@Pd 20 exhibites excellent activity for methanol oxidation in alkaline media, which is approximately 6 times higher than commercial Pd/C. And its resistance to CO and stability are also greatly improved. This work provides a simple and straightforward approach to prepare bimetallic core-shell electrocatalyst by using CQDs with high catalytic activity for alkaline fuel cells.