Advanced Plasmon-driven ethylene glycol oxidation over 3D ultrathin Lotus-like PdCu nanosheets

Abstract

Coupling the unique surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of plasma metals with electrocatalysis is of huge challenge but great significance to advance alcohol oxidation. Herein, we demonstrate the commendable SPR effect of Cu harvesting solar energy to boost the electrocatalytic efficiency of ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) over 3D ultrathin lotus-like PdCu nanosheets (NSs). Notably, the well-defined PdCu-2 NSs exhibit the highest mass activity (7547 mA mg−1) to EGOR under visible light illumination, which is 1.3 times enhanced versus in dark, as well as outclassing the Pd-homemade NSs and commercial Pd/C catalyst. Meanwhile, the PdCu-2 NSs also show excellent stability in long-term durable tests. Investigations of the correlative mechanism reveal that the enhanced EGOR is mainly attributed to the SPR of Cu promoting the electron transfer from Cu to Pd, modifying the electronic structure of Pd, and facilitating the charge transport in electrochemical reactions, thus strengthening the electrocatalytic ability of Pd. This work sheds light on the SPR of plasma Cu-assisted photoelectrocatalysis to EGOR and provides new avenues to develop novel and high-efficiency photoelectrocatalysts for liquid fuel cells.