A Core‐Shell Nanoporous Pt‐Cu Catalyst with Tunable Composition and High Catalytic Activity

Abstract

Abstract Composition‐controlled fabrication of bimetallic catalysts is of significance in electrochemical energy conversion and storage. A novel nanoporous Pt‐Cu bimetallic catalyst with a Pt skin and a Pt‐Cu core, fabricated by electrochemically dealloying a bulk Pt‐Cu binary alloy using a potential‐controlled approach, is reported. The Pt/Cu ratio of the dealloyed nanoporous catalyst can be readily adjusted in a wide composition range by only controlling dealloying potential. The electro‐catalytic performance of the nanoporous Pt‐Cu catalyst shows evident dependence on Pt/Cu ratio although the surfaces of all the nanoporous catalysts are characterized to be covered by pure Pt. With optimal compositions, the dealloyed nanoporous Pt‐Cu catalyst possesses enhanced electrocatalytic activities toward oxygen reduction reaction and formic acid oxidation in comparison with the commercial Pt/C catalyst.