PtCuRu Nanoflowers with Ru-Rich Edge for Efficient Fuel-Cell Electrocatalysis

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) face challenges due to sluggish reaction kinetics.
• Platinum-based alloys are crucial for DAFCs, but enhancing their catalytic activity is key.
• Rational structural design of catalysts is essential for improved performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel catalyst for enhanced DAFCs.
• To investigate the synergetic effects of Pt, Cu, and Ru in a nanoflower structure.
• To improve catalytic activity and anti-poisoning abilities for methanol and ethanol oxidation.

Main Methods:

• Facile one-pot synthesis of Platinum-Copper-Ruthenium (PtCuRu) nanoflowers (NFs).
• Electrocatalytic performance testing for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR).
• CO stripping experiments and chronoamperometric measurements for durability and anti-poisoning assessment.
• Density functional theory (DFT) calculations to understand catalytic mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Optimized Pt_0.68Cu_0.18Ru_0.14 NFs demonstrated significantly higher specific activities for MOR (6.0x) and EOR (7.1x) compared to commercial Pt/C.
• The PtCuRu NFs exhibited excellent anti-poisoning properties and superior durability over 5000 seconds.
• DFT calculations confirmed that the decreased d-band center of Pt, Ru-rich edges, and high index facets enhance catalytic activity and CO oxidation.

Conclusions:

• The synergetic effects in PtCuRu NFs effectively lower the d-band center of Pt, enhancing intrinsic activity.
• The unique nanoflower structure with Ru-rich edges and high index facets accelerates reaction kinetics for MOR and EOR.
• This rational catalyst design offers a promising strategy for developing highly active and durable electrocatalysts for DAFCs.