Strongly Coupled PtNi_0.3 Co_2.7 O₄ Hybrid Nanoflowers with Remarkably Enhanced Catalytic Performance

The nonstoichiometric metal oxide Ni_0.3 Co_2.7 O₄ served as a support for small-sized Pt nanoparticles. The whole synthesis of the hybrid material can be kinetically controlled and no further surface-modification treatment was required. More importantly, the as-obtained strongly coupled PtNi_0.3 Co_2.7 O₄ hybrid nanoflowers exhibit remarkably enhanced catalytic activities compared with PtNiO and PtCo₃ O₄ hybrid samples. This result indicates that it is possible to optimize the catalytic performance of noble metals by using a nonstoichiometric metal oxides as a support instead of a stoichiometric metal oxide.