Three-dimensional hierarchical urchin-like PdCuPt nanoassembles with zigzag branches: A highly efficient and durable electrocatalyst for formic acid oxidation reaction

[Display omitted] •The PdCuPt HZBUS were prepared by a one-pot wet-chemical approach.•PEO and KBr performed as co-directing agents in the synthesis.•The PdCuPt HZBUS provide enlarged surface area and more active sites.•The nanocatalyst displayed high activity and long-term stability for FAOR. Hierarchically branched multi-metallic nanoassembles are promising catalysts extensively used in catalytic fields because of their unique structural features and multicompositions advantages. Herein, three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical zigzag-branched urchin-like PdCuPt superstructures (HZBUS) were prepared by a one-pot wet-chemical method, where polyethylene oxide (PEO) and KBr served as directing agents. The specific architectures provided abundant active sites highly available for reactants, in turn showing highly enlarged electrochemically active surface area (16.79 m2 g−1Pd). The as-obtained PdCuPt HZBUS displayed dramatically enhanced catalytic activity and improved long-term durability for formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR), surpassing homemade PdCu nanoparticles (NPs), commercial Pd black and Pt/C catalysts. This work offers a new strategy for construction of advanced multimetallic electrocatalysts with charming superstructures and high-efficient performances in fuel cells.