Lattice-strained palladium nanoparticles as active catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction.

Introduction of lattice strain into catalysts is a facile way to modify catalytic behaviour. Here, we report the synthesis of Pd nanoparticles with compressive strain by pulsed laser ablation of a Pd target immersed in an aqueous solution. The intensive quenching effect induces obvious compressive strain which improves the ORR performance of the Pd nanoparticles significantly.