Tuning the surface structure and phase structure of PtCu3 nanoparticle for highly efficient electrocatalysts

Significantly improving the catalytic activity and durability of platinum (Pt) based electrocatalysts is crucial for commercial application of fuel cells by tuning structure of Pt alloy nanoparticles. Here, we report a method of tuning structure of PtCu3 alloy nanoparticle by annealing in different...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 47; no. 48; pp. 20816 - 20824
Main Authors:	Liu, Feng, Gao, Yong, Ouyang, Xuan, Wang, Xinzhong, Li, Xuejiao, Han, Fuxie, Li, Wei, Tan, Feng, Zhou, Liexing, Yang, Xikun
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Elsevier Ltd 05-06-2022
Subjects:	Disordered PtCu3 alloy Ordered PtCu3 alloy Oxygen reduction reaction PtCu3 nanoparticles Surface segregation Ordered PtCu3 alloy PtCu3 nanoparticles Surface segregation Disordered PtCu3 alloy Oxygen reduction reaction
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Summary:	Significantly improving the catalytic activity and durability of platinum (Pt) based electrocatalysts is crucial for commercial application of fuel cells by tuning structure of Pt alloy nanoparticles. Here, we report a method of tuning structure of PtCu3 alloy nanoparticle by annealing in different atmospheres. The detailed analyses showed that evolution of surface structure and phase structure of PtCu3 alloy nanoparticles heat-treated in N2 atmosphere and N2/H2 mixed atmosphere are mainly as follows: (1) when heat-treated in N2, the crystal phase of PtCu3 has undergone a transformation from disordered PtCu3 alloy to ordered PtCu3 alloy and then to disordered PtCu3 alloy with the increase of holding time from 30 min to 90 min; (2) when heat-treated in H2/N2, a Pt-rich surface is formed on the Pt–Cu nanoparticles due to Pt segregation induced by H2 adsorption. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated that both PtCu3/C-N2 electrocatalysts prepared in N2 and PtCu3/C-N2/H2 electrocatalysts prepared in H2/N2 exhibit enhanced mass activities toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) relative to Pt/C electrocatalyst in acidic media. In particular, when the holding time is 90 min, the obtained PtCu3/C-N2/H2 electrocatalysts with Pt-rich surface showed highest mass activity of 435 mA/mgPt (at 0.9 V vs. RHE), which is four times greater than that of Pt/C catalyst (20 wt.% Pt, 115 mA/mgPt). This study provides a promising method for the reasonable design and preparation of low cost and high performance Pt-based electrocatalysts. •Surface and phase structure of PtCu3 nanoparticle are tuned by annealing in different atmospheres.•Crystal phase of PtCu3 heat-treated in N2 gas has undergone a transformation from disorder to order.•Formation of Pt-rich surface on Pt–Cu nanoparticles due to Pt segregation induced by H2 adsorption.•The PtCu3/C catalyst with Pt-rich surface exhibits a higher ORR activity compared to Pt/C catalyst.
ISSN:	0360-3199 1879-3487
DOI:	10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.04.206