Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activities of PtCuCoNi Three-Dimensional Nanoporous Quaternary Alloys for Oxygen Reduction and Methanol Oxidation Reactions

Control of morphology and composition could precisely and efficiently alter the catalytic properties of Pt-based materials, improving the electrocatalytic activity and durability. Here we proposed a rapid, controllable synthesis of three-dimensional PtCuCoNi quaternary alloys with low Pt-group metal, which were directly synthesized by reducing metal precursors in aqueous solution. The resultant quaternary alloys show excellent oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation reaction activities in acid solution. By rational tuning of the composition of PtCuCoNi alloys, they achieved a mass activity of 0.72 A/mgPt on the basis of Pt mass for oxygen reduction reaction. Moreover, the durability is also higher than that of commercial Pt/C catalyst. These PtCuCoNi quaternary alloys characterized by three-dimensional porous nanostructures hold attractive promise as substitutes for carbon-supported Pt catalysts with improved activity and stability.