Dendrite-like PtAg alloyed nanocrystals: Highly active and durable advanced electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and...

In this work, well-defined dendrite-like PtAg alloyed nanocrystals were prepared by a facile one-pot l-hydroxyproline-assisted successive coreduction approach on a large scale, where no any template or seed involved. l-Hydroxyproline was employed as a green structuring director. The formation mechanism of the alloyed dendritic nanocrystals was investigated in details. The as-prepared frameworks exhibited boosted electrocatalytic activity, improved stability and enhanced tolerance toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) in alkaline media in contrast with commercial Pt black catalyst. The developed method provides novel strategy for preparing other shape-controlled nanocatalysts with superior catalytic activity and durability.