Ternary Heterostructured Nanoparticle Tubes: A Dual Catalyst and Its Synergistic Enhancement Effects for O2/H2O2 Reduction

ORR things bright and beautiful: A new kind of unsupported Pd-Au-Cu (PdAuCu) ternary heterostructured nanoparticle-tube catalyst was synthesized (see TEM image and dispersive X-ray spectroscopy maps). The incorporation of Au into a PdCu system gives a synergistic enhancement of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and of the H2O2 reduction reaction. The approach provides a promising route to the development of gas/liquid oxidant fuel cells with ultrahigh electrical power output.