Shape-dependent catalytic properties of electrochemically synthesized PdPt nanoparticles towards alcohols electrooxidation

Wet-Chemical Synthesis of Concave Hexoctahedral Pd and Pd@Pt Nanocrystals for Methanol Electrooxidation

Nanocrystals (NCs) exposed with high-index facets usually show enhanced electrocatalytic performances. However, it is a great challenge to persevere with high-index facets against their high surface energy during the synthesis. Herein, we successfully synthesize concave hexoctahedral (c-HOH) Pd NCs exposed with 48 high-index {741} facets using a facile one-pot wet-chemical protocol. Control experiments illustrate that l-ascorbic acid plays a critical role in the formation of the c-HOH morphology, acting as both reducing and capping agents. Moreover, we can extend the synthesis for fabricating c-HOH Pd@Pt core-shell NCs by simply introducing a Pt precursor into the reaction solution, attaining remarkably boosted electrocatalysis for methanol electrooxidation reaction (MOR). Integrating the merits of {741} facets, concave structure, and ligand and strain effect of the core-shell structure, c-HOH Pd4@Pt1 core-shell NCs showed an excellent MOR mass activity of 1.18 A mgPGM-1 or 3.60 A mgPt-1, which is 3.80 or 11.61 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C, respectively.

Electronic Structure Effect of PtCo Alloy with Adjustable Compositions for Efficient Methanol Electrooxidation

Various efficient strategies have been developed to overcome the anodic electrocatalyst issue of methanol-based fuel cells owing to their complicated methanol electrooxidation mechanism. In this work, PtCo nanoparticles with adjustable compositions supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Pt1Cox/MWCNTs) through the adsorbing-coating-annealing-etching route were synthesized. Compared with the Pt/C catalyst, Pt1Co3/MWCNTs exhibit better electrocatalytic MOR activity in both activity and durability. Notably, the electrochemical mass and specific activity of the as-prepared catalyst are 1.04 mA μg-1Pt and 2.18 mA cm-2, respectively, which are higher than those of the Pt/C catalyst. Moreover, the as-prepared sample revealed lower onset potential during the CO stripping test. Furthermore, the Pt1Co3/MWCNTs possess a lower current density decrease rate in chronoamperometry and cyclic durability tests. The enhancement of activity and stability of Pt1Co3/MWCNTs could be ascribed to their ordered morphological structure, the electronic interaction between MWCNTs and PtCo nanoparticles, and the suitable electronic structure effect between Pt/Co ratios. The concept of the catalyst design in this study offers a different guideline for constructing the novel methanol electrooxidation catalyst, which will accelerate the widespread fuel cell practical application.

Simple Synthesis of PdAg Porous Nanowires as Effective Catalysts for Polyol Oxidation Reaction

The development of efficient and stable Pd-based electrocatalysts is extremely important to facilitate the development of catalysts for polyol oxidation reactions. To synthesize Pd-based catalysts with excellent catalytic performance, a series of PdAg porous nanowires (PdAg PNWs) with different elemental ratios was constructed by facile synthesis using a seed-mediated method. The synthesized PdAg PNWs have a rough surface and a porous one-dimensional structure, which optimize the specific surface area and surface area of catalysts, thereby providing more active sites for catalysts. PdAg PNWs benefited from the geometric effect of porous nanowires and the synergy between Pd and Ag, showing excellent catalysis (8243.0 and 4137.0 mA mg_Pd^-1) for the ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) and glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR). Among them, the optimal Pd₆₂Ag₃₈ PNWs show the highest catalytic activity (6.0 times and 3.9 times higher than Pd/C) and stability compared with Pd₅₇Ag₄₃ PNWs, Pd₅₁Ag₄₉ PNWs, and Pd/C for EGOR and GOR. At the same time, this porous one-dimensional structure also endows PdAg PNWs with faster electron transfer capabilities than Pd/C. This work will likely provide an effective strategy for constructing cost-effective catalysts.

Insights into reaction mechanisms of ethanol electrooxidation at the Pt/Au(111) interfaces using density functional theory

Understanding ethanol electrooxidation reaction kinetics is fundamental to the development of direct ethanol fuel cells.