Edge Enrichment of Ultrathin 2D PdPtCu Trimetallic Nanostructures Effectuates Top-Ranked Ethanol Electrooxidation

Abstract

Atomic edge sites on two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials display striking catalytic behavior, whereas edge engineering for 2D metal nanocatalysts remains an insurmountable challenge. Here we advance a one-pot synthesis of ultrathin 2D PdPtCu trimetallic nanosheets and nanorings with escalating low-coordinated edge proportions from 11.74% and 23.11% to 45.85% as cutting-edge ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) electrocatalysts. This in situ edge enrichment hinges on a competitive surface capping and etching strategy with integrated manipulation of the reaction kinetics. Electrocatalysis tests demystify an edge-relied EOR performance, where the edge-richest 9.0 nm-Pd₆₁Pt₂₂Cu₁₇ nanorings attain an exceptional activity (12.42 A mg^-1_Pt+Pd, 20.2 times that of commercial Pt/C) with substantially improved durability. Molecularly mechanistic studies certify that the unsaturated edge sites on these 2D catalysts prevail, triggering the C-C bond scission and succeeding CO removal to facilitate a 12-electron-transferring EOR process. This study introduces the "metal-edge-driven" concept and enables the "edge sites on 2D multimetallic nanocatalysts" technique to design versatile heterocatalysts.