Pd3Pb1@Pt2 core–shell concave nanocubes to boost the ethanol oxidation reaction

Abstract

The secret to raising catalyst selectivity and activity is to design nanocatalysts by regulating pore size and particle properties. Hence, it was effectively established that manipulating pore size and particle properties allowed for the manufacture of ternary Pd3Pb1@Pt2 concave nanocubes (Pd3Pb1@Pt2 CNCs). The synthesized Pd3Pb1@Pt2 CNCs/C shows superior electrocatalytic activity of 7500 mA mgPt+Pd−1 towards ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) which is 7.08 times greater than the JM Pt/C (1060 mA mgPt−1). The catalyst has excellent stability, and the mass activity is still better than JM Pt/C after 3600 s stability test. The CO stripping measurements shows that the adsorption of CO is particularly weak, which proves that the catalyst has excellent resistance to medium toxicity. In situ attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR) and external reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (IRRAS) have been employed to examine the molecular aspects of the EOR process. ATR-IR can monitor the production and removal of CO species in real time during EOR on Pd3Pb1@Pt2 CNCs/C. The band of CO2 is noticeably stronger on Pd3Pb1@Pt2 CNCs/C than it is on bare other catalysts, suggesting that the ethanol oxidation process may be promoted.