Polyhedron-Assembled Ternary PtCuCo Nanochains: Integrated Functions Enhance the Electrocatalytic Performance of Methanol Oxidation at Elevated Temperature

Abstract

Recently, the preparation of a high-performance one-dimensional alloy nanostructure for fuel cells has been given increasing attention due to its smart-structure merits and electronic effect triggered by alloying different kinds of metals at the nanoscale. In this study, unique ternary PtCuCo nanochains assembled with small polyhedra are first achieved and used as high-performance anode electrocatalysts toward methanol oxidation at elevated temperature (60 °C) that is closer to the operating temperature of direct methanol fuel cells than room temperature. The specific activity/mass activity of Pt45Cu35Co20 one-dimensional nanochains can reach up to 18.24 mA cm–2/4.19 A mg–1 Pt that is 9.25/10.47 times that of commercial Pt black in sulfuric acid medium. After a 3600 s durability test, the remaining current density of Pt45Cu35Co20 one-dimensional nanochains is 73.3 times that of commercial Pt black. The structure characterizations show that the high density of surface active sites, d-band center of the Pt downshift, moderate strain effect, and synergetic effect are jointly responsible for the enhanced electrocatalytic performance of one-dimensional ternary PtCuCo nanochains.

Highly Active Hollow RhCu Nanoboxes toward Ethylene Glycol Electrooxidation

“…[ 31 ] According to d‐band center theory, [ 32 ] the d‐band center moving toward the Fermi level is commonly an important indication of the high activity of electrocatalyst. [ 33 ] Compared to Rh, the d‐band center of RhCu alloy down‐shifts and is away from the Fermi level (Figure S11, Supporting Information), indicating the weak electron interaction between RhCu and the adsorbent. Moreover, DFT calculation results obtained from the most stable and compact (111) plane of RhCu and Rh show that EG and OH species at the RhCu alloy surface have the lower adsorption energies than that at the Rh surface ( Figure A,B).…”

Ultrasmall Pd‐Cu‐Pt Trimetallic Twin Icosahedrons Boost the Electrocatalytic Performance of Glycerol Oxidation at the Operating Temperature of Fuel Cells

“…Here, the binding energies of Pd, Cu and Pt of Pd‐Pt‐Cu IHs have negative shifts compared the standard bulk Pd, Cu and Pt metallic state (Figure A–C), which exhibits the strong electron effect between them. The negative shifts of binding energy show the d‐band centers of Pd, Pt and Cu downshift, which would weaken the adsorptive strength of adsorption species that adsorbed on the nanocrystal surface during the electrochemical reaction process and be a favorable factor to improve electrocatalytic performance . More significantly, the NSA would not only bind reactants more weakly but also dissociate reactants more readily than corresponding pure metals .…”

Platinum‐Based Electrocatalysts for Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells: Enhanced Performances toward Alcohol Oxidation Reactions

“… Summary of MA and SA values in recent reported works for Pt‐based electrocatalysts with different composition and commercial Pt/C toward MOR. (1, [111] 2, [112] 3, [113] 4, [114] 5, [115] 6, [116] 7, [117] 8, [118] 9, [122] ). …”

“…[24,105] To date, many elementals, such as Ni, Co, Fe, Cu, Au, Pd, Rh, Os, Ir, Ga, and so forth, have been introduced into Pt to form bior multi-metallic nanostructures. [24,46,47,99,[106][107][108][109][110][111][112][113][114][115][116][117][118] Figure 6 gives a summary of the MA and SA of Pt-based electrocatalysts with different compositions compared with commercial Pt/C, which illustrates that formation of alloy can remarkably enhance the electrocatalytic performance. Recently, Zhang's group modified the electronic structure of Pt through incorporating Ni into Pt.…”

“…Copyright (2018) American Chemical Society. [111] 2, [112] 3, [113] 4, [114] 5, [115] 6, [116] 7, [117] 8, [118] 9, [122] ). introduction of Cu decreases the d-band energy of Pt by transferring charge from Cu to Pt and the Rh presence promotes the CÀ C bond cleavage.…”