Controlled synthesis and characterization of AgPd nanowire arrays for electrocatalytic applications

Polycrystalline AgPd alloy nanowires were synthesized by potentiostatic electrodeposition in pores of anodic alumina oxide membranes from a bath containing ammonia complexes of silver and palladium. By adjusting the potential of the working electrode in a range from -0.4 to -1.2 V vs. SCE and electrolyte composition (Pd/Ag precursor ratio of 1:15 to 15:1), the morphology and composition of nanowires, and pore-filling rate can be tuned. Smooth nanowires (composed mainly of palladium) with the diameter of 56 +/- 4 nm were prepared by electrodeposition carried out at the potentials less negative than - 0.6 V vs. SCE in the electrolyte with the Pd/Ag precursor ratio of 15:1. The use of bath with the Pd/Ag precursor ratio of 1:15 led to the formation of rougher nanowires with a higher silver content (up to 100 wt%) and smaller diameter, which are prone to cracking due to their granular structure. The AgPd nanowire array with the Ag/Pd ratio (wt%) of ca. 1:1 was used for electrocatalytic reduction of trichloromethane in a 0.05 M aqueous solution of KClO4. The linear sweep voltammetry (ISV) revealed one wide peak of CHCl3 reduction that is shifted toward more negative values with increasing the scan rate. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.