Developing
efficient Pt-based electrocatalysts for the methanol
oxidation reaction (MOR) is of pivotal importance for large-scale
application of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), but Pt suffers
from severe deactivation brought by the carbonaceous intermediates
such as CO. Here, we demonstrate the formation of a bismuth oxyhydroxide
(BiO
x
(OH)
y
)-Pt inverse interface via electrochemical reconstruction for enhanced
methanol oxidation. By combining density functional theory calculations,
X-ray absorption spectroscopy, ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron
spectroscopy, and electrochemical characterizations, we reveal that
the BiO
x
(OH)
y
-Pt inverse interface can induce the electron deficiency of neighboring
Pt; this would result in weakened CO adsorption and strengthened OH
adsorption, thereby facilitating the removal of the poisonous intermediates
and ensuring the high activity and good stability of Pt2Bi sample. This work provides a comprehensive understanding of the
inverse interface structure and deep insight into the active sites
for MOR, offering great opportunities for rational fabrication of
efficient electrocatalysts for DMFCs.