Versatile nanoarchitectonics of Pt with morphology control of oxygen reduction reaction catalysts

Electro-catalytic activity of Pt in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) depends strongly on its morphology. For an understanding of how morphology affects the catalytic properties of Pt, the investigation of Pt materials having well-defined morphologies is required. However, the challenges remain in rational and facile synthesis of Pt particles with tuneable well-defined morphology. A promising approach for the controlled synthesis of Pt particles is 'self-assembly of building blocks'. Here, we report a unique synthesis method to control Pt morphology by using a self-assembly route, where nanoflower, nanowire, nanosheet and nanotube morphologies of Pt particles have been produced in a controlled manner. In the growth mechanism, Pt nanoparticles (5-11 nm) are rapidly prepared by using NaBH₄ as a reductant, followed by their agglomeration promoted by adding 1,2-ethylenediamine. The morphology of the resulting Pt particles can be easily controlled by tuning hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions by the addition of isopropanol and H₂O. Of the Pt particles prepared using this method, Pt nanotubes show the highest ORR catalytic activity in an acid electrolyte with an onset potential of 1.02 V vs. RHE.