Efficient polyalcohol oxidation electrocatalysts enabled by PtM (M = Fe, Co, and Ni) nanocubes surrounded by (200) crystal facets. Issue 17 (28th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Song, Tongxin; Gao, Fei; Zhang, Yangping; Chen, Chunyan; Wang, Cheng; Li, Shujin; Shang, Hongyuan; Du, Yukou
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 12:Issue 17(2020)
• Page Start: 9842
• Page End: 9848
• Publication Date: 2020-04-28
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/d0nr00163e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : The (200)-enclosed Pt4 M nanocubes (NCs) exhibit ascendant catalytic property towards GOR and EGOR due to the introduction of transition metals. Abstract : Due to the high-density (200) crystal planes and abundant active sites, cubic platinum nanomaterials have become outstanding electrocatalysts in promoting fuel cell reactions. However, because of the fact that the facet-controlled synthesis is difficult, it is still a grand challenge to synthesize a sequence of Pt-based nanocubes via a universal method. Herein, we report a general and simple eco-friendly solvothermal method to prepare (200)-enclosed PtM nanocubes. Different from the other nanomaterials, nanocubes are conducive to mass transfer. Moreover, the synergistic and electronic effects between M and Pt are profitable to improve the utilization of precious metals. We used (200)-encapsulated nanocrystals to evaluate their electrocatalytic performance towards glycerol and ethylene glycol oxidation reactions in an alkaline medium. In particular, Pt4 Co nanocubes showed superior mass activities in glycerol and ethylene glycol oxidation reactions, which are 6.2- and 5.0-fold higher than those obtained for commercial Pt/C catalysts, respectively. Meanwhile, Pt4 M catalysts manifested excellent stability in the endurance test, which is attributed to the alloying effect promoting the electrooxidation of intermediates. Our study provides an ideal method for the construction of Pt-based bimetallic nanocubes, which can be used for anode reactions of polyol fuel cells and beyond.