Low-coordinated surface sites make truncated Pd tetrahedrons as robust ORR electrocatalysts outperforming Pt for DMFC devices

Developing highly stable and active non-Pt oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)electrocatalysts for power generation device raises great concerns and remains a challenge.Here,we report novel truncated Pd tetrahedrons(T-Pd-Ths)enclosed by{111}facets with excellent uniformity,which have both low-coordinated surface sites and distinct lattice distortions that would induce“local strain”.In alkaline electrolyte,the T-Pd-Ths/C achieves remarkable ORR specific/mass activity(SA/MA)of 2.46 mA·cm^(−2)/1.69 A·mgPd^(−1),which is 12.3/16.9 and 10.7/14.1 times higher than commercial Pd/C and Pt/C,respectively.The T-Pd-Ths/C also exhibits high in-situ carbon monoxide(CO)tolerance and 50,000 cycles durability with an activity loss of 7.69%and morphological stability.The rotating ring-disk electrode(RRDE)measurements show that a 4-electron process occurs on T-PdThs/C.Theoretical calculations demonstrate that the low-coordinated surface sites contribute largely to the enhancement of ORR activity.In actual direct methanol fuel cell(DMFC)device,the T-Pd-Ths/C delivers superior open-circuit voltage(OCV)and peak power density(PPD)to commercial Pt/C from 25 to 80℃,and the maximum PPD can reach up to 163.7 mW·cm−2.This study demonstrates that the T-Pd-Ths/C holds promise as alternatives to Pt for ORR in DMFC device.