Continuous and Scalable Synthesis of Pt Multipods with Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity toward the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

AbstractPlatinum multipods are attractive for catalytic and electrocatalytic applications owing to their highly open, branched structure and thus high specific surface area. A number of methods have been reported for the synthesis of Pt multipods, but they are all limited in terms of throughput due to the use of batch reactors. Here we report the use of a fluidic device for the continuous and scalable synthesis of Pt multipods with sizes controlled in the ranges of 3–5 nm and 2–3 nm for the length and width, respectively, of the branched arms. The facile protocol involves the use of as a precursor to Pt and oleylamine as a solvent, surfactant, and temperature‐dependent reductant. When a solution of these two components is pumped into the polytetrafluoroethylene tube immersed in an oil bath and held at 180 °C, Pt multipods are formed through fast autocatalytic surface growth and small particles attachment. Compared with the batch‐based synthesis, the throughput of the production in the flow system can readily be increased to 17 mg of Pt per hour while retaining a tight control over the quality of the products. When supported on carbon, the Pt multipods exhibit enhanced activity toward oxygen reduction relative to the commercial Pt/C catalyst.