Fabrication of Pt3Ni catalysts on polypyrrole-modified electrochemically exfoliated graphene with exceptional electrocatalytic performance for methanol and ethanol oxidation

Modification Strategies for Development of 2D Material-Based Electrocatalysts for Alcohol Oxidation Reaction

2D materials, such as graphene, MXenes (metal carbides and nitrides), graphdiyne (GDY), layered double hydroxides, and black phosphorus, are widely used as electrocatalyst supports for alcohol oxidation reactions (AORs) owing to their large surface area and unique 2D charge transport channels. Furthermore, the development of highly efficient electrocatalysts for AORs via tuning the structure of 2D support materials has recently become a hot area. This article provides a critical review on modification strategies to develop 2D material-based electrocatalysts for AOR. First, the principles and influencing factors of electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols (such as methanol and ethanol) are introduced. Second, surface molecular functionalization, heteroatom doping, and composite hybridization are deeply discussed as the modification strategies to improve 2D material catalyst supports for AORs. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of 2D material-based electrocatalysts for AORs are outlined. This review will promote further efforts in the development of electrocatalysts for AORs.

Engineering intermetallic-metal oxide interface with low platinum loading for efficient methanol electrooxidation

Constructing a distinctive electrochemical interface with low platinum content to boost the sluggish methanol electrooxidation kinetics is critical for commercializing the direct methanol fuel cells. Herein, we have synthesized highly active electrocatalysts with unique intermetallic-metal oxide interfaces through a facile pyrolysis method. Physical characterizations demonstrate that the obtained PtFe^(1:2)@a-FeO_x/NC-C catalyst with low platinum content of 7.2 wt% possesses an interfacial structure composed of face-centered tetragonal (L1₀) PtFe intermetallic nanoparticles accompanied with amorphous iron oxide. Electrochemical measurements show that the synthesized PtFe^(1:2)@a-FeO_x/NC-C catalyst not only exhibits excellent methanol electrooxidation activities with a mass activity of 1.48 A mg^-1_Pt and a specific activity of 2.34 mA cm^-2_Pt in acid medium, but also possesses better CO-tolerant performance and faster methanol oxidation kinetics compared with commercial Pt/C. The improved electrochemical performances may ascribe to the modified electronic structure by alloying platinum with iron and the special PtFe@a-FeO_x interface, which render strong synergistic interactions between bimetallic PtFe nanoparticles and amorphous iron oxide. Consequently, the presented strategy offers new prospects into the construction of low-cost electrocatalysts with unique electrochemical interface for enhancing catalytic performances.

Metal-organic interface engineering for coupling palladium nanocrystals over functionalized graphene as an advanced electrocatalyst of methanol and ethanol oxidation

Adjusting the surface structures and electronic structures of metal nanocrystals (NCs) by the metal-organic interface interaction is an emerging strategy to enhance their electrocatalytic behavior. In this work, the d-phenylalanine-functionalized graphene (DPHE-GS) anchoring Pd NCs (denoted as Pd/DPHE-GS) was fabricated via the diazo-reaction followed by a simple chemical reduction. Owing to the metal-organic interface interaction between Pd NCs and DPHE, the size, distribution and electronic structures of Pd NCs on the surface of DPHE-GS can be adjusted. Therefore, the Pd/DPHE-GS shows the highest electrocatalytic activity and the most robust long-term durability and stability towards methanol and ethanol oxidation reaction (MOR and EOR) compared to the commercial Pd/C and other counterparts. This work presents an effective interface engineering strategy to enhance electrocatalytic property.

Bimetallic PtIr nanoalloy on TiO2-based solid solution oxide with enhanced oxygen reduction and ethanol electro-oxidation performance in direct ethanol fuel cells

Elevating the electrocatalytic performance of both cathode and anode catalysts is critical to the advancement and widespread utilization of low-temperature fuel cells.

Significant promotion effects of Ag oxide towards Pd catalysis for ethanol and methanol oxidation reactions

Ag oxides play a crucial role in promoting the catalysis of Pd both for ethanol and methanol oxidation reactions.