Synthesis of Pt-Pd bimetallic nanorods and nanoparticles supported on single-walled carbon nanotubes via a solvothermal approach.

Platinum-palladium bimetallic nanorods and nanoparticles supported on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were synthesized via a solvothermal method. In particular, nanorod formation and elongation were governed by precursor acidity, nanotube diameter, and surface treatment. Acid-treated SWCNTs enabled the formation of nanorods exceeding 30 nm on average, revealing key parameters for morphology control of one-dimensional (1D) bimetallic nanostructures. The 1D Pt-Pd bimetallic nanorods exhibited durable performance as the cathode catalyst of a single-cell polymer electrolyte fuel cell during a long-term accelerated durability test up to 60 000 cycles.