Gold-based carbon-supported bimetallic catalysts for energy storage and biomedical applications

In this study, the controlled synthesis of highly reactive gold palladium bimetallic nanostructured catalyst, using polyvinyl pyrrolidone stabiliser, has been proposed. In order to determine the morphology, biocompatibility and to explore the chemistry of the produced Au0.8Pd0.2-C samples, microscopic examinations, cell viability and Raman spectroscopy technique were performed. The XRD pattern displayed a well-defined fcc crystalline structure for the Au0.8Pd0.2-C and PdC catalysts. The presence of Au in Au0.8Pd0.2-C electrodes promotes a positive effect, which was confirmed by the appearance of a broad peak in the region of H2 adsorption/desorption, suggesting that the H2 adsorption/desorption processes on the surface of catalyst were favored. Standard MTT assay performed on the Au0.8Pd0.2-C samples displayed a decreased cellular response with respect to the control group; however, cell confluency throughout the tissue culture plate suggested biocompatibility of the given sample. Moreover, when the Au0.8Pd0.2-C catalyst was chemically tested by Raman spectroscopy, the presence of Au and Pd ions was confirmed.