Pt‐Pd Bimetal Popcorn Nanocrystals: Enhancing the Catalytic Performance by Combination Effect of Stable Multipetals Nanostructure and Highly Accessible Active Sites

Abstract

Exploration of highly efficient electrocatalysts is significantly urgent for the extensive adoption of the fuel cells. Because of their high activity and super stability, Pt-Pd bimetal nanocrystals have been widely recognized as one class of promising electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction. This article presents the synthesis of popcorn-shaped Pt-Pd bimetal nanoparticles with a wide composition range through a facile hydrothermal strategy. The hollow-centered nanoparticles are surrounded by several petals and concave surfaces. By exploring the oxygen reduction reaction on the carbon supported Pt-Pd popcorns in perchloric acid solution, it is found that compared with the commercial Pt/C catalyst the present catalysts display superior catalytic performances in aspects of catalytic activity and stability. More importantly, the Pt-Pd popcorns display minor performance degradations through prolonged potential cycling. The enhanced performances can be mainly attributed to the unique popcorn structure of the Pt-Pd components, which allows the appearance and long existence of the high active sites with more accessibility. The present work highlights the key roles of accessible high active sites in the oxygen reduction reaction, which will ultimately guide the design of highly durable Pt-Pd catalysts.

One-Pot Synthesis of Pt–Pd Bimetallic Nanodendrites with Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

“…We chose cheaper H 2 PtCl 6 ·6H 2 O and Na 2 PdCl 4 as precursors in a truly simple and quite different method from the traditional synthetic route − and had superior ORR activity and durability of Pt–Pd bimetallic nanodendrites. In our recipe, we adopt ethylene glycol as a solvent, PVP served as a surfactant and stabilizer, and KI was a reducing agent .…”

Rational construction of Au–Ag bimetallic island-shaped nanoplates for electrocatalysis

“…The core-shell structure [6,7], alloy structure [8][9][10] and island structure [11] are the main bimetallic structures being studied. Among these selective bimetallic structures, Au-Ag nanoalloys exhibit the unique surface activity, chemical stability [12,13], and biocompatibility due to its unique atomic and electronic structure, and quantum confinement effects, making catalytic properties of this system particularly unique, and therefore attract more and more researchers' attentions [14].The formation of the alloy is usually prepared by reduction in the presence of both precursor solutions [15,16]. Generally, high temperature annealing is a major method to prepare the alloys [17][18][19].…”

Intrinsic Properties of Macroscopically Tuned Gallium Nitride Single‐Crystalline Facets for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

“…[7][8][9][10][11][12] To date, many research groups have made tremendous efforts on studies relatedt ot he chemical properties of different facets of nanostructured catalysts or nanocrystals. [13][14][15][16][17][18] The priority of facet engineering has been focused on the nanoscale or even at the atomicl evel. [19][20][21][22][23][24] At nanoscale or atomicl evels, characterisation is greatly affected by many aspects, such as specific area, suspension bonds and defect density.H owever,i nvestigating the intrinsic properties of facets is still insufficient.…”

“…Tuned facets have been utilised for probing structural and size effects in catalytic reactions . To date, many research groups have made tremendous efforts on studies related to the chemical properties of different facets of nanostructured catalysts or nanocrystals . The priority of facet engineering has been focused on the nanoscale or even at the atomic level .…”