Au@Pd core–shell nanoclusters growing on nitrogen-doped mildly reduced graphene oxide with enhanced catalytic performance for hydrogen generation from formic acid

Here we report a green and facile strategy for the direct nucleation and growth of ultrafine (1.8 nm) and well dispersed Au@Pd core–shell nanoclusters on nitrogen-doped mildly reduced graphene oxide (Au@Pd/N–mrGO) without any surfactant and additional reducing agent. During the synthesis, N–mrGO acts as both the reducing agent and support by taking advantage of its moderate reducing and high dispersing capacities. Unexpectedly, the as-prepared Au@Pd/N–mrGO hybrid exhibits much greater activity than its alloy or monometallic counterparts toward hydrogen generation from formic acid aqueous solution without using any additive at room temperature.