Twenty Second Synthesis of Pd Nanourchins with High Electrochemical Activity through an Electrochemical Route

A rapid, templateless, surfactantless, electrochemical route is reported to synthesize uniform and clean Pd nanoparticles (similar to 350 nm in diameter) with a substructure of sharp nanospikes (similar to 95 nm in length). The effects of electrodeposition potential, PdCl2 concentration, and supporting electrolyte were explored for the formation of the Pd nanourchins. The systematic studies revealed that the concentration of Pd(II) greatly affects the density of the nanospikes on the Pd nanourchins in this short-time synthesis. The substructure of the nanospikes on the nanourchins was examined to be a single-crystal quadrangular pyramid. Further investigation of the Pd nanourchins by cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed their high electrochemical activity toward formic acid oxidation.