Synergistically strained PdPr bimetallene: an ethylene glycol sensor for antifreeze leakage detection

Abstract

The development of high-performance electrochemical catalysts capable of ultrasensitive detection of small molecules remains a significant challenge. Emerging two-dimensional materials, particularly metallenes such as Pd metallene, have demonstrated considerable potential in addressing these challenges. However, several critical limitations remain, including the need for further enhancement of electrochemical activity, detection sensitivity, and molecular selectivity. In this study, a one-step hydrothermal approach was employed to synthesize porous PdPr bimetallene alloys with a semi-transparent, wrinkled architecture, which function as high-performance catalysts in flexible electrochemical sensors. These materials exhibit excellent sensitivity and selectivity toward ethylene glycol detection. The incorporation of Pr not only induces unique synergistic lattice distortion effects but also enhances the thermodynamic stability of defect sites, which act as efficient electron-transfer channels and significantly activate the catalytic centers. This structural engineering significantly improves both electronic conductivity and structural stability, while also accelerating electron-transfer kinetics and enhancing the activity of the ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EOR). This work not only demonstrates the effectiveness of active-site engineering in PdPr bimetallene for improved catalytic performance but also broadens the application of metallenes in the sensing of small molecules, aligning with current trends in advanced sensing technologies.