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Updated: May 22, 2026
Synthesis of Bimetallic Pt/Sn-based Nanoparticles in Ionic Liquids
Published on: August 23, 2018
Synthesis, shape control, and methanol electro-oxidation properties of Pt-Zn alloy and Pt3Zn intermetallic
Yijin Kang1, Jun Beom Pyo, Xingchen Ye
1Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Abstract:
We report the first synthesis of highly monodisperse Pt(3)Zn nanocrystals (NCs). Shape-controlled synthesis generates cubic and spherical Pt-Zn NCs. Reaction temperature is the key to incorporate Zn into Pt, even in the absence of a strong reducing agent. The Pt-Zn NCs are active toward methanol oxidation, with the spherical NCs exhibiting higher activity than the cubic NCs. The Pt-Zn alloy phase can be transformed into the Pt(3)Zn intermetallic phase, upon annealing. The intermetallic Pt(3)Zn shows better performance than the alloy phase Pt-Zn. Besides the activity toward methanol oxidation, Pt-Zn NCs show excellent poisoning tolerance. With activities comparable to the commercial Pt catalyst, enhanced poisoning tolerance and lower cost, Pt-Zn and Pt(3)Zn NCs are a promising new family of catalysts for direct methanol fuel cells.
