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Synthesis of Platinum-nickel Nanowires and Optimization for Oxygen Reduction Performance
Published on: April 27, 2018
Shape and composition-controlled platinum alloy nanocrystals using carbon monoxide as reducing agent.
Jianbo Wu1, Adam Gross, Hong Yang
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA.
Nano Letters
|January 6, 2011
Summary
The gas reducing agent in liquid solution (GRAILS) method enables the synthesis of diverse platinum alloy nanocrystals with controlled shapes and compositions. This approach enhances oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance, particularly for octahedral Pt3Ni catalysts.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Catalysis
Background:
- Nanocrystal shape significantly impacts catalytic activity.
- Existing synthesis methods for controlling nanocrystal morphology are often material- and shape-specific.
- Developing a general method for shape and composition control is crucial for advanced catalysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a versatile Gas Reducing Agent in Liquid Solution (GRAILS) method for synthesizing platinum alloy nanocrystals.
- To demonstrate the GRAILS method's ability to produce uniform cubic and octahedral morphologies with controlled compositions.
- To evaluate the catalytic performance of synthesized platinum alloy nanocrystals in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the GRAILS method with various platinum alloys (Pt-M, M = Co, Fe, Ni, Pd).
- Achieving synthesis of distinct cubic and octahedral nanocrystal morphologies under identical reducing conditions.
- Controlling the composition of the platinum alloy nanocrystals.
Main Results:
- The GRAILS method successfully produced uniform platinum alloy nanocrystals with controlled cubic and octahedral shapes.
- A wide range of compositions were attainable for the Pt alloy nanocrystals.
- Pt3Ni catalysts exhibited shape-dependent ORR activity: octahedral catalysts showed higher activity (1.26 mA/cm2(Pt)) than cubic ones (0.85 mA/cm2(Pt)) at 0.9 V.
- Octahedral Pt3Ni catalysts achieved a mass activity of 0.44 A/mg(Pt).
Conclusions:
- The GRAILS method offers a general and effective approach for synthesizing shape- and composition-controlled platinum alloy nanocrystals.
- The demonstrated control over morphology and composition leads to enhanced catalytic performance in ORR.
- This method provides a pathway for designing advanced nanocatalysts with tailored properties.
