Ternary Heterostructured Nanoparticle Tubes: A Dual Catalyst and Its Synergistic Enhancement Effects for O2/H2O2 Reduction

PdAuCu Nanobranch as Self-Repairing Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

During start-up and shut-down operations of fuel cells, high potential is inevitably experienced at cathode, which leads to the deterioration of the oxygen reduction electrocatalyst. The design of catalysts that can repair themselves under severe conditions has been identified as a primary challenge for fuel cells. Herein, self-supported PdAuCu branched nanostructure is synthesized by a hydrothermal method. By smartly utilizing the high-potential treatment, the activity of PdAuCu is significantly enhanced owing to the synergistic effect between the Pd and Cu^II generated by such treatment. Moreover, the high activity of PdAuCu can be well maintained by repeating the high-potential treatment. We hence propose this catalyst as a "self-repairing" catalyst in a broad sense.

Effect of component distribution and nanoporosity in CuPt nanotubes on electrocatalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction

Pt-based bimetallic electrocatalysts hold great potential in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in current fuel-cell prototypes. However, they also face challenges from drastic dealloying of less-noble metals and coalescence of small nanoparticles. Porous and structure-ordered nanotubes may hold the potential to improve the stability of bimetallic electrocatalysts. Herein, we report a method to prepare CuPt nanotubes and porous Cu3 Pt intermetallic nanorods through a controlled galvanic replacement reaction and heat treatment process. The effect of the geometric features and compositional segregation on the electrocatalysis of the ORR was clarified. The outstanding performance of the Cu3 Pt/C-700 catalyst in the ORR relative to that of CuPt/C-RT was mainly attributed to the nanoporosity of the catalyst, whereas the enhanced specific activity on CuPt/C-RT after potential cycling was attributed to the interaction between the CuPt alloyed core and the Pt shell in the tube wall.

Metal-enhanced luminescence in colloidal solutions of CdSe and metal nanoparticles: investigation of density dependence and optical band overlap

The photoluminescence (PL) of semiconductor nanoparticles (SNP) is strongly modified when the semiconductor is in the proximity of a metal surface or a metal nanoparticle (MNP).