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Potential-Dependent Reversible Restructuring of Pt-Au Alloy Electrocatalysts
Jan Sebastian Dominic Rodriguez1,2, Hassan Javed1, Kees E Kolmeijer1
1Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
The surface composition of platinum-gold (Pt-Au) alloy nanoparticles dynamically changes with applied electrochemical potential. This metal rearrangement, driven by electronegativity and mobility differences, is reversible and crucial for designing effective alloy electrocatalysts.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- The arrangement of metals within alloy nanoparticles significantly impacts their electrochemical properties.
- Understanding metal distribution is vital for optimizing electrocatalyst performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamic surface composition changes in platinum-gold (Pt-Au) alloy nanoparticles under varying electrochemical conditions.
- To identify the driving forces behind the observed metal restructuring.
Main Methods:
- Utilized electrochemical X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to analyze surface composition.
- Applied a range of electrochemical potentials to study dynamic responses.
Main Results:
- Pt-Au alloy surface composition varies from stoichiometric to Pt-enriched based on applied potential.
- Below 1.5 VRHE, Pt enrichment occurs due to its higher reactivity.
- Above 1.5 VRHE, Au migrates to the surface, driven by its higher mobility and favored oxidation kinetics.
- Observed highly reversible surface dynamics at room temperature.
Conclusions:
- The surface composition of Pt-Au alloy nanoparticles is not static but dynamically rearranges in response to the electrochemical environment.
- These facile and reversible rearrangements are critical considerations for the rational design of advanced alloy electrocatalysts.
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