Ultrafine Pt Nanoparticle-Decorated 3D Hybrid Architectures Built from Reduced Graphene Oxide and MXene Nanosheets for Methanol Oxidation

Abstract

The design and construction of high-performance platinum-based electrode catalysts with acceptable cost are the keys to advances in the field of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Herein, we report an efficient bottom-up approach for the large-scale production of ultrafine Pt NP-decorated 3D hybrid architectures by employing graphene (RGO) and MXene (Ti 3 C 2 T x ) nanosheets as cobuilding blocks. Benefiting from their distinct structural merits, such as highly interconnected porous carbon networks, large specific surface areas, homogeneous metallic Pt dispersion, and good electron conductivity, the resulting 3D Pt/RGO−Ti 3 C 2 T x architectures express surprisingly high catalytic activity, reliable long-term stability, and strong poison tolerance as they are utilized as anode DMFC catalysts, which are more competitive than those for conventional Pt catalysts supported by carbon black, carbon nanotube, RGO, and Ti 3 C 2 T x materials. Density functional theory calculation further reveals an optimized band structure of the RGO− Ti 3 C 2 T x support as well as its strong electronic interactions with Pt NPs, which are essential for the exceptional electrocatalytic properties toward methanol oxidation reaction.

Rh-Decorated Three-Dimensional Graphene Aerogel Networks as Highly-Efficient Electrocatalysts for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

“…As is well-known, platinum (Pt) is the most popular electrode catalyst for DMFCs due to its unique electrocatalytic ability for methanol oxidation reaction Yang et al, 2019). However, the scarcity and poor poison tolerance of Pt-based catalysts commonly render high manufacturing costs and short lifespan of DMFCs, which remain the critical obstacles impeding their large-scale commercial applications (Chang et al, 2014;Huang et al, 2017a).…”

Synthesis of Multiple‐Twinned Pd Nanoparticles Anchored on Graphitic Carbon Nanosheets for Use as Highly‐Active Multifunctional Electrocatalyst in Formic Acid and Methanol Oxidation Reactions

“…Platinum (Pt) has long been regarded as the most efficient electrocatalyst for facilitating a wide range of electrocatalytic reactions, including the oxidation reactions of formic acid and methanol. [ 9–14 ] However, the scarcity and high price of Pt‐based catalysts mean that the manufacturing costs of electrode materials based on them are very high. This limits their large‐scale commercial applicability.…”

MXene hydrogels: fundamentals and applications

“…4b). 27,28 To further increase the accessible surface area during the GO-assisted gelation process, Shang et al introduced an interlayer spacer, ethylenediamine (EDA), that led to the formation of chemical bonding between rGO layers and MXene nanosheets ( Fig. 4c).…”

“…Thus far, there are several methods for preparing MXene aerogels including (1) direct freeze-drying of MXene NC dispersions, 16,25,35,36 (2) calcination after freeze-drying of MXene NC dispersions, [37][38][39][40][41] and (3) freeze-drying of MXene hydrogels. 5,6,12,28,[42][43][44][45][46][47] In all these methods, the sublimation of ice crystals from frozen dispersions or hydrogels was necessary for obtaining MXene aerogels. Similar to hydrogels, the resultant micro/nanostructures and mechanical behavior of the obtained aerogels are influenced by the MXene concentration, polymeric molecular weight, freezing methods, and post-processing procedure.…”