Direct electrodeposition of PtPd alloy foams comprised of nanodendrites with high electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of methanol and ethanol

PtPd alloy foam films comprised of nanodendrites have been firstly fabricated by a strategy of cathodic co-deposition utilizing hydrogen bubble dynamic templates. The deposition conditions like potential, deposition time, H2SO4 concentration, precursor concentrations were investigated in detail. We found that Pd played the predominant role in the formation of alloy foams and nanodendrites in comparison with respective electrodeposition of Pd and Pt. The porous films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The PtPd alloy porous films comprised of nanodendrites showed enhanced electrocatalytic activities toward the electrooxidation of methanol and ethanol in acidic solution.