High-density surface protuberances endow ternary PtFeSn nanowires with high catalytic performance for efficient alcohol electro-oxidation. Issue 39 (26th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Cheng; Xu, Hui; Gao, Fei; Zhang, Yangping; Song, Tongxin; Wang, Caiqin; Shang, Hongyuan; Zhu, Xing; Du, Yukou
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 11:Issue 39(2019)
• Page Start: 18176
• Page End: 18182
• Publication Date: 2019-09-26
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c9nr06343a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : Ultrafine PtFeSn nanowires (NWs) with high-density surface protuberances and tunable compositions were prepared as efficient electrocatalysts for MOR and EOR. Abstract : Developing cost-effective catalysts with superb activity and stability to alcohol electro-oxidation is a decisive factor towards the progress of direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). Rationally utilizing the architectural and surface microstructural sensitivity of nanocatalysts can significantly increase their electrocatalytic properties. Here, we report an appropriate route that allows the fabrication of ultrafine PtFeSn nanowires (NWs) with tunable compositions. Interestingly, the addition of Sn reconstructed the surface microstructures, making ultrafine 1D NWs rich in a large number of surface protuberances, which may facilitate the oxidation of ethanol and methanol. Impressively, further catalytic studies demonstrate that all the PtFeSn NWs exhibit excellent catalytic capabilities for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) and methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), and display composition-related electrocatalytic activity with Pt1 Fe0.20 Sn0.46 NWs, possessing the highest activity for EOR and MOR. In addition, the trimetallic PtFeSn NWs exhibit significant meliorative durability relative to PtFe NWs and commercial Pt/C. The superb electrocatalytic performance is ascribed to its one-dimensional (1D) structure, atomic-level fine diameter, synergistic effect among Pt, Fe, and Sn components and abundant protuberances on the surface. Thus, this study highlights the significance of accurate structure- and surface-controlled Pt-based NWs for electrocatalysis and provides a universal approach for designing multi-component catalysts.