LAUSR

Abstract 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 (LSV) revealed one wide peak of CHCl3 reduction that is shifted toward more negative values with increasing the scan rate.