Ultrafast synthesis of uniform 4–5 atoms-thin layered tremella-like Pd nanostructure with extremely large electrochemically active surface area for formic acid oxidation

Herein, a uniform 4–5 atoms-thin layered tremella-like Pd nanostructure with extremely large electrochemically active surface area is ultrafast-synthesized in 1 min by a one-pot surfactant-free route at room temperature, delivering 4.2 times higher peak current density and much faster electron transfer than commercial Pd/C toward formic acid oxidation thus becoming the highest catalytic activity over the reported Pd-based nanosheet catalysts in terms of mass activity and peak potential. The enhancement mechanism of this unique architecture indicates that ultrathin layered and interconnected “clean” structure offers modified Pd electronic properties, extremely large active surface area and high conductivity for fast electrode kinetics. This work has universal significance to provide a facile and fast method to synthesize a unique nanostructure for highly active electrocatalysts, while holding great promise for an active surfactant-free Pd catalyst for formic acid oxidation. •4–5 atoms-thin layered tremella-like Pd nanostructure is synthesized.•ULT-Pd is prepared in 1 min by using a one-pot surfactant-free route.•ULT-Pd shows extremely large electrochemically active surface area.•ULT-Pd exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity for formic acid oxidation.