Controlling the Size of Ag@Pd Catalysts to Boost Ethanol Oxidation

Given that the size and structure of the catalyst strongly affect its performance during the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR), here, a series of Ag-core/Pd-shell catalysts are synthesized and characterized. Impressively, the Ag@Pd-2 with the smallest size exhibits superior EOR performance in comparison to the counterparts (Pd, Ag@Pd-0, Ag@Pd-1, and Ag@Pd-3) and a commercial Pd catalyst. Furthermore, the strain and electronic effects also play an important role in enhancing catalytic activity. This work can provide a guide for facilely designing high-performance electrocatalysts for EOR and beyond.