Ternary PtPdTe Nanowires Winded Around 3D Free-Standing Carbon Foam as Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

In this study, uniform PtPdTe nanowires winded around 3D free-standing carbon foam (CF) network (PtPdTe-NWs/CF) were successfully fabricated with sacrifice of Te nanowires. In the synthesis, ultrathin Te nanowires (Te NWs) were first produced on CF support (Te-NWs/CF) by combining a hydrothermal procedure and a post annealing treatment. PtPdTe-NWs/CFs were then prepared via the displacement reactions between Pt2+, Pd2+ and the as-synthesized Te-NWs/CF in the absence of reducing agent. The morphology and composition of the obtained 3D nanostructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The crystal structure and valence states of the PtPdTe-NWs/CFs were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Due to the 3D hierarchical micron-grade porous structure of CF- supported PtPdTe nanowires and the synergy effect of Pt and Pd, the as-prepared PtPdTe-NWs/CFs displayed excellent electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with an effective 4e− pathway. The high electrocatalytic ORR performance of the PtPdTe-NWs/CF suggests that such 3D carbon-hybrided PtPdTe nanowires are potential cathode catalysts for fuel cells.