A self-supporting bimetallic Au@Pt core-shell nanoparticle electrocatalyst for the synergistic enhancement of methanol oxidation

Changhui Tan,Jianzhong Zheng,Jun Guo,Dan Wang,Huajie Zeng,Ziyang Li,Liqiang Jing,Yinghui Sun,Lin Jiang

doi:10.1038/s41598-017-06639-5

Changhui Tan, Jianzhong Zheng + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-06639-5

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Journal: Scientific Reports	Publication Date: Jul 24, 2017
Citations: 64	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Soochow University, Heilongjiang University

Abstract

The morphology of Pt−Au bimetal nanostructures plays an important role in enhancing the catalytic capability, catalytic stability and utilization efficiency of the platinum. We designed and successfully prepared Au@Pt nanoparticles (NPs) through an economical, surfactant-free and efficient method of seed-mediated growth. The Au@Pt NPs displayed electrochemical performances superior to those of commercial Pt/C catalysts because their agglomeration was prevented and exhibited better long-term stability with respect to methanol oxidation in acidic media by efficiently removing intermediates. Among the obtained Au@Pt NPs, Au90@Pt10 NPs exhibited the most significantly enhanced catalytic performance for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). Their mass and electrochemically active surface area (ECSA)-normalized current densities are approximately 3.9 and 4.6 times higher than those of commercial Pt/C catalysts, respectively. The oxidation current densities of the Au90@Pt10 NPs are approximately 1.8 times higher than those of commercial Pt/C catalysts after 4000 s of continuous measurement because the small Pt NPs grown on the surface of the Au90@Pt10 NPs were effectively stabilized by the Au metal support. This approach may be a facile method for the synthesis of self-supported bimetallic nanostructures, which is of great significance for the development of high performance electrocatalysts and sensors.

Highlights

In the face of the oil and other fossil fuel crises, the development of clean and sustainable energy sources has become an increasingly important concern
The synergistic effect from the Au and Pt interaction alters the structure of the Pt electronic bands by changing the surface adsorption force[31, 64,65,66], which contributes to a significant enhancement of both electrocatalytic activity and stability that could grant improved CO tolerance to Pt catalysts in the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR)
Spiny Au NPs were prepared and used as seeds to synthesize Au@Pt NPs, which is a process of chemical growth and an element-replacement reaction

Summary

Introduction

In the face of the oil and other fossil fuel crises, the development of clean and sustainable energy sources has become an increasingly important concern. Core-shell nanostructures with enhanced performances as catalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) have been observed[42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53].

Results

Conclusion