Metallic Two-Dimensional Nanoframes: Unsupported Hierarchical Nickel-Platinum Alloy Nanoarchitectures with Enhanced Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction Activity and Stability

Highly stable and active catalyst in fuel cells through surface atomic ordering

Shape-controlled alloy nanoparticle catalysts have been shown to exhibit improved performance in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in liquid half-cells. However, translating the success to catalyst layers in fuel cells faces challenges due to the more demanding operation conditions in membrane electrode assembly (MEA). Balancing durability and activity is crucial. Here, we developed a strategy that limits the atomic diffusion within surface layers, fostering the phase transition and shape retention during thermal treatment. This enables selective transformation of platinum-iron nanowire surfaces into intermetallic structures via atomic ordering at a low temperature. The catalysts exhibit enhanced MEA stability with 50% less Fe loss while maintaining high catalytic activity comparable to that in half-cells. Density functional calculations suggest that the ordered intermetallic surface stabilizes morphology against rapid corrosion and improves the ORR activity. The surface engineering through atomic ordering presents potential for practical application in fuel cells with shape-controlled Pt-based alloy catalysts.

Synthesis of Pd nanorod arrays on Au nanoframes for excellent ethanol electrooxidation

Au-Pd hollow nanostructures have attracted a lot of attention because of their excellent ethanol electrooxidation performance. Herein, we report a facile preparation of Au nanoframe@Pd array electrocatalysts in the presence of cetylpyridinium chloride. The reduced Pd atoms were directed to mainly deposit on the surface of the Au nanoframes in the form of rods, leading to the formation of Au nanoframe@Pd arrays with a super-large specific surface area. The red shift and damping of the plasmon peak were ascribed to the deposition of the Pd arrays on the surface of the Au nanoframes and nanobipyramids, which was verified by electrodynamic simulations. Surfactants, temperature and reaction time determine the growth process and thereby the architecture of the obtained Au-Pd hollow nanostructures. Compared with the Au nanoframe@Pd nanostructures and Au nanobipyramid@Pd arrays, the Au nanoframe@Pd arrays exhibit an enhanced electrocatalytic performance towards ethanol electrooxidation due to an abundance of catalytic active sites. The Au NF@Pd arrays display 4.1 times higher specific activity and 13.7 times higher mass activity than the commercial Pd/C electrocatalyst. Moreover, the nanostructure shows improved stability towards the ethanol oxidation reaction. This study enriches the manufacturing technology to increase the active sites of noble metal nanocatalysts and promotes the development of direct ethanol fuel cells.

Synthesis of catalysts with fine platinum particles supported by high-surface-area activated carbons and optimization of their catalytic activities for polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Herein, we demonstrated that carbon-supported platinum (Pt/C) is a low-cost and high-performance electrocatalyst for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). The ethanol reduction method was used to prepare the Pt/C catalyst, which was realized by an effective matching of the carbon support and optimization of the Pt content for preparing a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). For this, the synthesis of Pt/C catalysts with different Pt loadings was performed on two different carbons (KB1600 and KB800) as new support materials. Analysis of the XRD pattern and TEM images showed that the Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with an average diameter of ca. 1.5 nm were uniformly dispersed on the carbon surface. To further confirm the size of the NPs, the coordination numbers of Pt derived from X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) data were used. These results suggest that the NP size is almost identical, irrespective of Pt loading. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis indicated the presence of mesopores in each carbon. The BET surface area was found to increase with increasing Pt loading, and the value of the BET surface area was as high as 1286 m2 gcarbon -1. However, after 40 wt% Pt loading on both carbons, the BET surface area was decreased due to pore blockage by Pt NPs. The oxidation reduction reaction (ORR) activity for Pt/KB1600, Pt/KB800 and commercial Pt/C was evaluated by Koutecky-Levich (K-L) analysis, and the results showed first-order kinetics with ORR. The favourable surface properties of carbon produced Pt NPs with increased density, uniformity and small size, which led to a higher electrochemical surface area (ECSA). The ECSA value of the 35 wt% Pt/KB1600 catalyst was 155.0 m2 gpt -1 higher than that of the Pt/KB800 and commercial Pt/C (36.7 wt%) catalysts. A Higher ECSA indicates more available active sites for catalyst particles. The single cell test with MEA revealed that the cell voltage in the high current density regions depends on the BET surface area, and the durability of the 35 wt% Pt/KB1600 catalyst was superior to that of the 30 wt% Pt/KB800 and commercial Pt/C (46.2 wt%) catalysts. This suggests that an optimal ratio of Pt to Pt/KB1600 catalyst provides adequate reaction sites and mass transport, which is crucial to the PEFC's high performance.

Hydrous cobalt-iridium oxide two-dimensional nanoframes: insights into activity and stability of bimetallic acidic oxygen evolution electrocatalysts

Acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts that have high activity, extended durability, and lower costs are needed to further the development and wide-scale adoption of proton-exchange membrane electrolyzers. In this work, we report hydrous cobalt-iridium oxide two-dimensional (2D) nanoframes exhibit higher oxygen evolution activity and similar stability compared with commercial IrO₂; however, the bimetallic Co-Ir catalyst undergoes a significantly different degradation process compared with the monometallic IrO₂ catalyst. The bimetallic Co-Ir 2D nanoframes consist of interconnected Co-Ir alloy domains within an unsupported, carbon-free, porous nanostructure that allows three-dimensional molecular access to the catalytically active surface sites. After electrochemical conditioning within the OER potential range, the predominately bimetallic alloy surface transforms to an oxide/hydroxide surface. Oxygen evolution activities determined using a rotating disk electrode configuration show that the hydrous Co-Ir oxide nanoframes provide 17 times higher OER mass activity and 18 times higher specific activity compared to commercial IrO₂. The higher OER activities of the hydrous Co-Ir nanoframes are attributed to the presence of highly active surface iridium hydroxide groups. The accelerated durability testing of IrO₂ resulted in lowering of the specific activity and partial dissolution of Ir. In contrast, the durability testing of hydrous Co-Ir oxide nanoframes resulted in the combination of a higher Ir dissolution rate, an increase in the relative contribution of surface iridium hydroxide groups and an increase in specific activity. The understanding of the differences in degradation processes between bimetallic and monometallic catalysts furthers our ability to design high activity and stability acidic OER electrocatalysts.

Nature-inspired electrocatalysts and devices for energy conversion

A NICE approach for the design of nature-inspired electrocatalysts and electrochemical devices for energy conversion.

Alloy Nanocatalysts for the Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction (ORR) and the Direct Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction Reaction (CO2 RR)

In the face of the global energy challenge and progressing global climate change, renewable energy systems and components, such as fuel cells and electrolyzers, which close the energetic oxygen and carbon cycles, have become a technology development priority. The electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the direct electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂ RR) are important electrocatalytic processes that proceed at gas diffusion electrodes of hydrogen fuel cells and CO₂ electrolyzers, respectively. However, their low catalytic activity (voltage efficiency), limited long-term stability, and moderate product selectivity (related to their Faradaic efficiency) have remained challenges. To address these, suitable catalysts are required. This review addresses the current state of research on Pt-based and Cu-based nanoalloy electrocatalysts for ORR and CO₂ RR, respectively, and critically compares and contrasts key performance parameters such as activity, selectivity, and durability. In particular, Pt nanoparticles alloyed with transition metals, post-transition metals and lanthanides, are discussed, as well as the material characterization and their performance for the ORR. Then, bimetallic Cu nanoalloy catalysts are reviewed and organized according to their main reaction product generated by the second metal. This review concludes with a perspective on nanoalloy catalysts for the ORR and the CO₂ RR, and proposes future research directions.

Atomic Platinum Skin under Synergy of Cobalt for Enhanced Methanol Oxidation Electrocatalysis

To reduce the cost of the catalyst and the consumption of Pt, a facile electrochemical displacement preparation method is proposed, and the nanostructures can be easily controlled by a strong reducing agent and a surfactant. Two distinct Pt-Co spheres, Pt-Co core-shell spheres (CSSs), and Pt-Co hollow alloy spheres (HASs) were successfully synthesized by changing the introduction of N₂. Interestingly, Pt-Co CSSs possess a Pt-rich shell with 7 atomic layer thickness, which promotes the efficient utilization of Pt atoms. Pt-Co HASs have a highly open structure and a single alloy phase. For the methanol oxidation reaction, Pt-Co CSSs and Pt-Co HASs exhibit enhanced catalytic performances. Compared with the commercial Pt/C catalyst, the mass activity of the Pt-Co CSS catalyst is increased by 4 times, and it has better stability. More importantly, the current work opens a door to the batch preparation of Pt-based catalysts and synthesis of shell nanostructures.

Low Pt Alloyed Nanostructures for Fuel Cells Catalysts

Low-noble metal electrocatalysts are attracting massive attention for anode and cathode reactions in fuel cells. Pt transition metal alloy nanostructures have demonstrated their advantages in high performance low-noble metal electrocatalysts due to synergy effects. The basic of designing this type of catalysts lies in understanding structure-performance correlation at the atom and electron level. Herein, design threads of highly active and durable Pt transition metal alloy nanocatalysts are summarized, with highlighting their synthetic realization. Microscopic and electron structure characterization methods and their prospects will be introduced. Recent progress will be discussed in high active and durable Pt transition metal alloy nanocatalysts towards oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation, with their structure-performance correlations illustrated. Lastly, an outlook will be given on promises and challenges in future developing of Pt transition metal alloy nanostructures towards fuel cells catalysis uses.

One-pot synthesis of a PtPd dendritic nanocube cage superstructure on graphenes as advanced catalysts for oxygen reduction

How to use Pt economically and efficiently in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of theoretical and practical significance for the industrialization of the proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. In order to minimize Pt consumption and optimize the ORR performance, the ORR catalysts are recommended to be designed as a porous nanostructure. Herein, we report a one-pot solvothermal strategy to prepare PtPd dendritic nanocube cages via a galvanic replacement mechanism triggered by an I^- ion. These PtPd alloy crystals are nanoporous, and uniformly dispersed on reduced graphene oxides (RGOs). The size of the PtPd dendritic nanocube cages can be easily tuned from 20-80 nm by controlling their composition. Their composition is optimized to be 1:5 Pt/Pd atomic ratio for these RGO-supported PtPd dendritic nanocages. This catalyst shows superior ORR performance with a specific activity of 2.01 mA  cm^-2 and a mass activity of 4.45 A  mg^-1 Pt, far above those for Pt/C catalysts (0.288 mA  cm^-2 for specific activity, and 0.21 A  mg^-1 Pt for mass activity). In addition to ORR activity, it also exhibits robust durability with almost negligible decay in ORR mass activity after 10 000 voltammetric cycling.

Unique Cu@CuPt Core-Shell Concave Octahedron with Enhanced Methanol Oxidation Activity

Although tremendous efforts have been devoted to the exploration of cost-effective, active, and stable electrochemical catalysts, only few significant breakthroughs have been achieved up to now. Therefore, exploring new catalysts and improving catalyst activity and stability are still major tasks at present. Controllable synthesis of Pt-based alloy nanocrystals with a uniform high-index surface and unique architecture has been regarded as an effective strategy to optimize their catalytic efficiency toward electrochemical reactions. Accordingly, here we present a one-pot facile solvothermal process to synthesize novel unique Cu@CuPt core-shell concave octahedron nanocrystals that exhibit both outstanding activity and long durability. By regulating temperatures during the synthesis process, we were able to control the reduction rate of Cu and Pt ions, which could subsequently lead to the sequential stacking of Cu and Pt atoms. Owing to the concave structure, the as-prepared core-shell nanoparticles hold a high-index surface of {312} and {413}. Such surfaces can provide a high density of atomic steps and terraces, which is suggested to be favorable for electrochemical catalysts. Specifically, the Cu@CuPt core-shell concave octahedron presents 8.6/13.1 times enhanced specific/mass activities toward the methanol oxidation reaction in comparison to those of a commercial Pt/C catalyst, respectively. Meanwhile, the as-prepared catalyst exhibits superior durability and antiaggregation properties under harsh electrochemical conditions. The facile method used here proposes a novel idea to the fabrication of nanocrystals with desired compositional distribution, and the as-prepared product offers exciting opportunities to be applied in direct methanol fuel cells.