One-Pot Graphene Supported Pt3Cu Nanoparticles-From Theory towards an Effective Molecular Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalyst.

In this work, recent research progresses in the formation of Pt3Cu nanoparticles onto the surface of graphene are described, and the obtained results are contrasted with previously published theoretical studies. To form these nanoparticles, tetrabutylammonium hexachloroplatinate, and copper acetylacetonate are used as platinum and copper precursors, respectively. Oleylamine is used as a reductor and a solvent. The obtained catalyst is characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy X-ray (EDS). To assess the catalytic activity, the graphene-supported Pt3Cu material is tested with cyclic voltammetry, "CO stripping", and oxygen reduction reaction potentiodynamic curves to find the nature and the intrinsic electrochemical activity of the material. It can be observed that the tetrabutylammonium cation plays a critical role in anchoring and supporting nanoparticles over graphene, from which a broad discussion about the true nature of the anchoring mechanism was derived. The growth mechanism of the nanoparticles on the surface of graphene was observed, supporting the conducted theoretical models. With this study, a reliable, versatile, and efficient synthesis of nanocatalysts is presented, demonstrating the potentiality of Pt3Cu/graphene as an effective cathode catalyst. This study demonstrates the importance of reliable ab inito theoretical results as a useful source of information for the synthesis of the Pt3Cu alloy system.

Three-Dimensional Array of TiN@Pt3Cu Nanowires as an Efficient Porous Electrode for the Lithium-Oxygen Battery.

The nonaqueous lithium-oxygen battery is a promising candidate as a next-generation energy storage system because of its potentially high energy density (up to 2-3 kW kg-1), exceeding that of any other existing energy storage system for storing sustainable and clean energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the consumption of nonrenewable fossil fuels. To achieve high round-trip efficiency and satisfactory cycling stability, the air electrode structure and the electrocatalysts play important roles. Here, a 3D array composed of one-dimensional TiN@Pt3Cu nanowires was synthesized and employed as a whole porous air electrode in a lithium-oxygen battery. The TiN nanowire was primarily used as an air electrode frame and catalyst support to provide a high electronic conductivity network because of the high-orientation one-dimensional crystalline structure. Meanwhile, deposited icosahedral Pt3Cu nanocrystals exhibit highly efficient catalytic activity owing to the abundant {111} active lattice facets and multiple twin boundaries. This porous air electrode comprises a one-dimensional TiN@Pt3Cu nanowire array that demonstrates excellent energy conversion efficiency and rate performance in full discharge and charge modes. The discharge capacity is up to 4600 mAh g-1 along with an 84% conversion efficiency at a current density of 0.2 mA cm-2, and when the current density increased to 0.8 mA cm-2, the discharge capacity is still greater than 3500 mAh g-1 together with a nearly 70% efficiency. This designed array is a promising bifunctional porous air electrode for lithium-oxygen batteries, forming a continuous conductive and high catalytic activity network to facilitate rapid gas and electrolyte diffusion and catalytic reaction throughout the whole energy conversion process.

Ultrathin dendritic Pt3Cu triangular pyramid caps with enhanced electrocatalytic activity.

Here we report on the synthesis of novel dendritic Pt3Cu triangular pyramid caps via a solvothermal coreduction method. These caps had three-dimensional caved structures with ultrathin branches, as evidenced by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and HAADF-STEM characterization. Tuning the reduction kinetics of two metal precursors by an iodide ion was believed to be the key for the formation of an alloyed nanostructure. Electro-oxidation of methanol and formic acid showed dramatically improved electrocatalytic activities and poison-tolerance for these nanoalloys as compared to commercial Pt/C catalysts, which was attributed to their unique open porous structure with interconnected network, ultrahigh surface areas, as well as synergetic effect of the two metallic components.