Prompt template-free synthesis of porous PtPb sponge-like nanostructure for electro-oxidation of methanol and carbon monoxide

Author(s)

Jin, Ruonan ; Lu, Qingqing ; Liao, Junjie ; Zhu, Yuzhou ; Huang, Tao ; Wang, Wenhui ; Wu, Yuheng ; Varela, Hamilton ; Eid, Kamel

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Electrochimica Acta; v. 508, p. 9-pg., 2024-10-20.

Abstract

Porous Pt-based alloys entail earth-abundant and low-cost metal, not only contribute to the rational consumption of expensive and rare Pt metal but also the enhancement of its activity towards the methanol electro-oxidation reaction (MEOR). Herein, a porous sponge-like PtPb alloy was synthesized by using the ice-reduction method driven by the coalescence growth mechanism under the intensive reduction power of borohydride. The presented PtPb sponge nanostructure was prepared using a facile, one-step method without heating or surfactants. Meanwhile, PtPb had a sponge-like shape with accessible active sites, a high surface area, abundant pore volume (0.05 cm3/g), pore size (2-20 nm), Pb loading (13.0 at.%), and an upshifted d-band center of Pt. These inimitable structural and compositional merits endow the electro-oxidation of methanol with a higher mass (specific) activity of 0.907 mA/mu gPt (5.7 mA/cm2) compared to those of Pt sponge-like nanostructure and Pt/C catalyst by 1.47 (1.35) and 1.72 (8.51) times, respectively, besides higher durability. Moreover, PtPb had higher activity and durability towards the electro-oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) than Pt and Pt/C. The proposed study may provide new insights into the simple synthesis of a Pt-based alloy for the electrocatalytic oxidation of small organic molecules. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/22183-6 - Electrocatalysis VI: fundamental and applied aspects of emerging and classical problems in electrochemical energy conversion
• Grantee: Edson Antonio Ticianelli
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program