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Spiny Pd/PtFe core/shell nanotubes with rich high-index facets for efficient electrocatalysis
Lu Tao1, Zhonghong Xia2, Qinghua Zhang3
1Department of Materials Science & Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; BIC-ESAT, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Science Bulletin
|January 19, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed novel spiny Palladium/Platinum-Iron core/shell nanotubes (SPCNTs) for enhanced fuel cell catalysis. These catalysts exhibit superior activity and durability for oxygen reduction and alcohol oxidation compared to commercial platinum catalysts.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Fuel cell catalyst performance relies heavily on catalyst morphology, size, and composition.
- One-dimensional (1D) ultrafine platinum (Pt)-based alloy nanowires (NWs) offer improved mass/charge transfer and durability.
- Integrating high-index facets and hollow interiors into 1D Pt alloy NWs is crucial for higher efficiency and lower cost but remains challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a novel class of spiny Palladium/Platinum-Iron core/shell nanotubes (SPCNTs).
- To investigate the electrocatalytic performance of SPCNTs for fuel cell applications, specifically oxygen reduction and alcohol oxidation.
- To evaluate the durability and stability of the synthesized catalysts.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of SPCNTs via galvanic dissolution of Palladium (Pd) supports and Stranski-Krastanov (S-K) growth of Platinum (Pt) and Iron (Fe).
- Characterization of catalyst morphology, composition, and electrochemical properties.
- Electrocatalytic testing for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and anodic alcohol oxidation.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized spiny Pd/PtFe core/shell nanotubes (SPCNTs) with rich high-index facets.
- Achieved an electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) of 62.7 m² gPt-1, comparable to commercial Pt/C.
- Demonstrated remarkable mass and specific activity for ORR (15.9 and 16.0 times higher than commercial Pt/C, respectively).
- Exhibited extraordinary resistance to activity decay and structural degradation over 50,000 potential cycles.
- Showcased efficient and stable catalytic performance for anodic alcohol oxidation.
Conclusions:
- SPCNTs represent a novel and highly effective catalyst architecture for fuel cell applications.
- The unique structure, featuring high-index facets and hollow interiors, significantly enhances electrocatalytic activity and durability.
- These findings pave the way for developing advanced, cost-effective catalysts for clean energy technologies.
