Cu₂O template synthesis of high-performance PtCu alloy yolk–shell cube catalysts for direct methanol fuel cells

Abstract

Novel PtCu alloy yolk-shell cubes were fabricated via the disproportionation and displacement reactions in Cu2O yolk-shell cubes, and they exhibit significantly improved catalytic activity and durability for methanol electrooxidation.

Design and Synthesis of Cu@CuS Yolk–Shell Structures with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

“…The void space within the yolk–shell structures provides a unique confined space, where a metal present as the yolk in the core of a shell can be protected from agglomeration and oxidation [ 29 ]. In general, various yolk–shell nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized by selectively scarifying the core/shell layer or converting the core materials via a disproportionation reaction [ 30 ], galvanic reaction [ 31 , 32 ], or the Kirkendall effect [ 33 ]. However, most of the studies on the preparation of yolk–shell NPs focus on a noble metal, such as Au, Ag, and Pt, as the core and a metal oxide as the shell.…”

Mechanistic control of a galvanic replacement reaction on cuprous oxide

“…As disproportionation is characteristic of the interfacial chemistry between the acidic media and the Cu 2 O surface, it potentially mediates the GR reaction observed for other noble metal salts, such as Ag + , PtCl 6 2À or PdCl 4 2À , which also have appropriate reduction potentials for driving GR reactions on Cu and Cu 2 O. [31][32][33][34]…”

Advanced yolk-shell nanoparticles as nanoreactors for energy conversion

“…Pt is the most commonly used electrocatalyst for fuel cells, but a pure Pt electrocatalyst suffers from CO poisoning because of its low CO tolerance, which leads to insufficient catalytic activity, high costs, and low durability. Many alternative metals, metal-free materials, and catalysts with various structures, such as non-precious metals, nitrogen-doped carbons, Pt-based alloys, and core-shell or yolk-shell catalysts, have been therefore been intensively investigated [120][121][122][123][124][126][127][128][129][130][131]. In terms of current commercial electrocatalysts, Pt loaded on a carbon support (Pt/C) gives excellent catalytic performances [127].…”