Addressing the Cost and Abundance of Palladium in Electrocatalysis: A Comprehensive Response to Reviewer Concerns

Thank you for raising the important concern regarding the cost and abundance of palladium (Pd) compared to platinum (Pt) in our research. We appreciate your diligence in reviewing the cited references and verifying the claim regarding the higher abundance of Pd.

While acknowledging that Pd is currently more expensive than Pt, we maintain that Pd holds a significant resource advantage due to its higher global mine production. To substantiate this claim, we have incorporated data from a reputable source, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), into our manuscript.

The USGS publication "https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2023/mcs2023-platinum-group.pdf" provides comprehensive data on platinum-group metals, including Pd and Pt. This publication explicitly states that, as of 2022, the mine production of Pd surpasses that of Pt, solidifying our assertion of Pd's greater resource availability.

By including this reference and its associated data, we aim to provide readers with accurate and current information regarding the relative abundance of Pd and Pt. This information strengthens the argument for exploring Pd as a viable alternative to Pt in electrocatalysis, particularly in applications where cost-effectiveness and resource availability are critical considerations.

We are grateful for your insightful comment, as it has allowed us to further enhance the clarity and reliability of our research by incorporating this crucial data point.