Small (<5 nm), Clean, and Well‐Structured Cubic Platinum Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Electrochemical Characterization. Issue 1 (19th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Antoniassi, Rodolfo M.; Erikson, Heiki; Solla‐Gullón, Jose; Torresi, Roberto M.; Feliu, Juan M.
• Is Part Of: ChemElectroChem. Volume 8:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 49
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2020-11-19
• Subjects: electrocatalysis -- nanoparticles -- particle shape -- particle size -- surface structure; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1002/celc.202001336
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2196-0216

Abstract

Abstract: Shape‐controlled metal nanoparticles are significantly improving the electrocatalysis of many relevant reactions. By controlling the shape of nanoparticles, it is possible to engineer their surface to exhibit a preferential structure. However, to facilitate the incorporation of shaped nanomaterials into practical electrochemical devices, it is indispensable to overcome limitations caused by their large particle size (typically >5 nm). For practical applications, nanoparticles must have a size lower than 5 nm with a clean surface to decrease costs and provide a sufficiently large specific surface area. This is a major challenge that has remained unexplored up to now. Herein, we present the synthesis and electrochemical characterization of 3–5 nm, with well‐defined cubic Pt nanoparticles supported on carbon. The electrochemical characterization of the nanoparticles evidences the existence of a preferential {100} and clean structure (within about 40 % of {100} terrace surface). Abstract : Small and mighty : Synthesizing small (<5 nm), clean and shaped metal nanoparticles would strongly contribute to the search for better electrocatalysts. The preparation and electrochemical characterization of Pt nanocubes are reported that fulfil these requirements, that is, a particle size smaller than 5 nm and a clean and preferential {100} surface structure (ca. 40 % of {100} terraces). This finding represents a significant advance in electrocatalysis.