Solid Synthesis of Ultrathin Palladium and Its Alloys' Nanosheets on RGO with High Catalytic Activity for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The special surface structure and distinctive quantum confinement of electrons provide two-dimensional (2D) materials with extraordinary properties. Ultrathin 2D noble-metal nanosheets consisting of single or few atomic layers, in particular, demonstrate high catalytic activities. Here, we demonstrate solid-phase synthesized ultrathin palladium (Pd) and its alloys' nanosheets (PdFe, PdCo, and PdNi) on RGO using carbon monoxide as reducing and surface confining agent. No templates and surfactants were used in the process, making it one of the most promising routes toward preparing such nanomaterials in large quantity and at low price. The ultrathin Pd and its alloys' nanosheets on RGO hybrids show high catalytic activities and durability.