Hollow PtCo Nanowires with Rough Surfaces as Highly Active Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

AbstractPlatinum‐based nanowires/nanotubes electrocatalysts have a wide application for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the fuel cells due to their remarkable electron transport capacity, ultra‐high Pt utilization and stable one‐dimensional structure, but their practical application is limited by catalytic activity and durability. In this paper, a one‐pot two‐step method for the synthesis of hollow PtCo nanowires (H‐PtCo NWs) was reported. The Co nanowires with roughish surfaces synthesized by solvothermal method were used as sacrifice templates to form an intermediate of the Co@Pt NWs through incomplete galvanic replacement steps, and then the H‐PtCo NWs were synthesized by subsequent etching process. XRD and TEM confirmed the presence of Pt and Co in H‐PtCo NWs and the highly open one‐dimensional structure. The ORR test showed the high ORR activity of H‐PtCo NWs catalyst against the Co@Pt NWs and the Pt/C. The ORR durability of the H‐PtCo NWs was demonstrated from the high retention of the ORR activity after ADTs. Therefore, the combination of one‐dimensional characteristics, the alloying of Co element, the high exponent crystal plane and highly open struct of the H‐PtCo NWs/C catalyst contributed to the remarkable ORR activity.