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Updated: Aug 13, 2025

Synthesis of Platinum-nickel Nanowires and Optimization for Oxygen Reduction Performance
Published on: April 27, 2018
Multimetallic AuPd@Pd@Pt core-interlayer-shell icosahedral electrocatalysts for highly efficient oxygen reduction
Qingfeng Xu1, Wenlong Chen2, Yucong Yan1
1State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
Ultrathin platinum skins on gold-palladium alloy cores with palladium interlayers significantly boost oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysis in fuel cells. The Au60Pd40@Pt icosahedra with a six-layer palladium interlayer showed the best performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Platinum-based core-shell catalysts enhance oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells through synergistic effects.
- Developing efficient and durable ORR catalysts is crucial for advancing fuel cell technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel icosahedral AuPd@Pd@Pt nanocrystals with tunable palladium interlayers.
- To evaluate the electrocatalytic activity and durability of these nanocrystals for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
Main Methods:
- Epitaxial coating of ultrathin platinum skins (two atomic layers) onto icosahedral AuPd nanocrystal seeds.
- Tuning palladium interlayer thickness (3, 6, and 12 atomic layers) within the core-shell structure.
- Electron microscopic characterization and electrochemical measurements to assess catalytic performance.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized icosahedral AuPd@Pd@Pt nanocrystals with controlled Pd interlayer thicknesses.
- AuPd@Pd@Pt nanocrystals exhibited significantly enhanced ORR activity and durability compared to controls and commercial Pt/C.
- Au60Pd40@Pt icosahedra with a 6-atomic-layer Pd interlayer demonstrated superior mass activities (11.6x before, 30.2x after 50,000 cycles).
Conclusions:
- The incorporation of a palladium interlayer in Pt-based core-shell nanocatalysts is a highly effective strategy for ORR enhancement.
- Optimized AuPd@Pd@Pt nanocrystals offer a promising alternative to commercial catalysts for fuel cell applications.
- Tunable interlayers provide a pathway for designing next-generation electrocatalysts with improved performance and longevity.
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