Ultrathin‐Branched Pt Grown on Quasi‐Sphere Pd with Enhanced Electrocatalytic Performances

Abstract

Pt has been demonstrated as the most effective electrocatalyst in electrocatalytic methanol oxidation reaction. To overcome the high cost and scarcity of Pt and further improve its performances, we therefore synthesized Pd−Pt bimetallic nanostructures, in which Pd located at interior with Pt at exterior. The morphology of the bimetallic nanocrystals exhibits a branched structure with a porous architect by employed quasi‐spherical Pd nanoparticles as the stating nanocrystals followed by the growth of Pt on their surfaces. Significantly, the branches are ultra‐thin (less than 5.0 nm), which can supply sufficient active sites. We thus tested the electrocatalytic performances toward oxidation of methanol. The specific activity is even 2.7 times that of commercial Pt/C, while the mass activity is 5.5 times of the commercial Pt/C. Moreover, the durability was also highly improved. We believed that our structures can pay the way for the development of liquid fuel cells.