Ethylene glycol co-reduced templating synthesis of PtRhTe nanotubes for polyalcohol electrooxidation

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Accelerating the commercialization process of direct fuel cells (DFCs) is an important alternative to alleviate the current energy dependence. While the development of DFCs is limited by the sluggish kinetics and unsatisfactory durability of Pt catalyst used in the anode electrode material. In this term, the intentional design of Pt electrocatalyst with specific shape and composition is helpful for the mitigation of the situation. By employing the appropriate template, one-dimensional (1D) catalyst such as nanotubes can be synthesized. Due to the different reduction rate of Rh and Pt salts precursors, the incorporation of another metal such as Rh with a relatively high content still remain a challenge, regardless of the fact that Rh can promote the C-C bonds break thus enhancing the reaction kinetic. Herein, with Te nanowires act as the template, an ethylene glycol co-reduced templating synthetic approach has been developed for the synthesis of 1D PtRhTe nanotubes with a comparable Pt/Rh ratio. Due to the enhanced polyalcohol electrooxidation kinetic promoted by the Rh, and the 1D porous structure, the resultant PtRhTe nanotubes present a better catalytic activity and stability for polyalcohol electrooxidation compared with PtTe nanotubes and Pt/C catalysts. The synthetic approach developed herein may also useful for controllable synthesis of other Rh-based materials.