Abstract

The study presents the first example of an adsorbed carbon monoxide (CO) enabled self-terminated Au-grafting on triphenylphosphine (PPh3) stabilized Pt6 nanoclusters (NCs) (Pt6 (PPh3)4Cl5 NCs or Pt6 NCs). Adsorbed PPh3 ligands weaken the Pt-CO bond enabling the self-terminated Au-grafting on Pt6 NCs. The Au-grafted Pt6 NCs exhibit enhanced methanol electrooxidation (MOR) in acidic solutions. The surface is composed of a PtAu ensemble exhibiting enhanced MOR and CO tolerance due to the synergistic interaction of Pt with Au and PPh3. The hydrogen underpotential deposition (H-UPD) signal from a CO-covered surface reveals the existence of free-Pt sites on the PtAu ensemble causing higher MOR reactivity. The Au and PPh3 ensure electrocatalytic activity of the NCs, depriving of them at anodic potentials results in "a death-valley" trend.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call