One-Nanometer-Thick Pt₃Ni Bimetallic Alloy Nanowires Advanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction: Integrating Multiple Advantages into One Catalyst

Abstract

Developing highly active as well as durable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts are still imperative for clean and efficient energy conversion device, such as fuel cells and metal-air battery. For this purpose and maximize the utilization of noble Pt, we present here a facile, yet scalable strategy for the high-precise synthesis of 1-nm-thick Pt3Ni bimetallic alloy nanowires (Pt3Ni BANWs). The seed-mediated growth mechanism of Pt3Ni BANWs was identified subsequently. As expected, the Pt3Ni BANWs delivered enhanced mass activity (0.546 A mgPt–1, exceeding the 2020 target of DOE) in comparison to Pt nanowires assembly (Pt NWA, 0.098 A mgPt–1) and Pt/C (Pt, 0.135 A mgPt–1), because of the rational integration of multiple compositional and structural advantages. Moreover, the Pt3Ni BANWs displayed enhanced durability (37% MA retention) than Pt NWA and Pt after 50 000 potential cycles. All these results indicate that the ultrathin Pt3Ni BANWs are potential candidates for catalyzing ORR with acceptable activity and durability. The present work could not only provide a facile strategy but also a general guidance for the design of superb performance Pt-based nanowire catalysts for ORR.