Three-Dimensional PtRu Nanostructures

Abstract

This paper presents an approach to the synthesis of PtRu nanostructures with defined shapes. Platinum acetylacetonate and ruthenium acetylacetonate were used as metal precursors. The selected capping of different low indexed surfaces by adamantaneacetic acid and hexadecaneamine led to the formation of cubic or tetrahedral nanodendrites from faceted primary nanoparticles, most likely through the oriented attachment. Our energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and X-ray diffraction pattern indicate that the nanostructures were Pt rich and contained up to ∼22 atom % of Ru. These PtRu nanostructures were catalytically active in the direct methanol oxidation. The highest peak mass current density obtained for as-made Pt78Ru22 nanodendrites was 99 mA mg-1 Pt.