Engineering stable electrocatalysts by synergistic stabilization between carbide cores and Pt shells.

Abstract

Core-shell particles with earth-abundant cores represent an effective design strategy for improving the performance of noble metal catalysts, while simultaneously reducing the content of expensive noble metals1-4. However, the structural and catalytic stabilities of these materials often suffer during the harsh conditions encountered in important reactions, such as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)3-5. Here, we demonstrate that atomically thin Pt shells stabilize titanium tungsten carbide cores, even at highly oxidizing potentials. In situ, time-resolved experiments showed how the Pt coating protects the normally labile core against oxidation and dissolution, and detailed microscopy studies revealed the dynamics of partially and fully coated core-shell nanoparticles during potential cycling. Particles with complete Pt coverage precisely maintained their core-shell structure and atomic composition during accelerated electrochemical ageing studies consisting of over 10,000 potential cycles. The exceptional durability of fully coated materials highlights the potential of core-shell architectures using earth-abundant transition metal carbide (TMC) and nitride (TMN) cores for future catalytic applications.