Patterned catalyst arrays of Pd/SnO2 core–shell nanowires for electrooxidations of biomass-derived alcohols

Abstract

Patterned arrays of catalyst nanowires are demonstrated as high-performance electrode platforms in this research. Palladium catalysts synthesized on various patterned arrays of tin dioxide nanowire frameworks exhibit superior performance for electrooxidations of methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, and glycerol in alkaline media. This could be attributed to the effective diffusion of the liquid-phase alcohol reactants through the hollow channels formed between the patterned electrode arrays. Comparable electrocatalytic investigations modifying the pattern geometries of these nanowire electrodes enable the design of promising electrode platforms for electrochemical energy conversion applications.