Structural Regulation of Pd-Based Nanoalloys for Advanced Electrocatalysis

Palladium (Pd)-based materials have attracted increasing attentions as a kind of novel candidate catalysts for many electrocatalytic reactions to replace classic platinum (Pt) catalysts, especially in the fuel cell-related electrocatalysis. However, the requirement of high activity and stability toward further practical applications makes the development of Pd-based catalysts cease to advance. Combining alloying and structure-controlled strategies has well addressed this challenge by optimizing the adsorption/desorption behaviors toward reaction intermediates. Herein, the recent advances of rational structural designs in terms of tuning the dimensionalities of Pd-based nanoalloys are overviewed. To further enhance the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity, several advanced strategies, including intermetallics, doping, defects, surface, and interface engineering, are presented to engineer the electronic and/or physical properties of Pd-based electrocatalysts. Using typical electrocatalytic reactions as probes, the significance of structural regulation of Pd-based nanocrystals on the enhanced electrocatalysis is demonstrated. Finally, several possible trends and challenges for future advanced research directions are presented. It is anticipated that the rational structural regulation can make promising Pd-based catalysts touch the ceiling of electrocatalytic activity and stability.