Au@Ir core-shell nanowires towards oxygen reduction reaction

Noble metal based one-dimensionally (1D) bimetallic nanostructures are attracting increasing interest in energy conversion field because of their structural advantages and tunable chemical composition. At present, the facile and efficient synthesis of high-quality Au-core noble metal-shell nanowires still maintains the challenge. Herein, we develop a feasible one-pot chemical-reduction strategy to rapidly synthesize high-quality Au@Ir core-shell nanowires (Au@Ir CSNWs) in 1-naphthol ethanol solution and explore their potential application in electrocatalysis. Expermattial results show the formation core-shell structure originates from the deposition-growth of Ir atoms at preferentially generated Au nanowires surface. When using as an electrocatalyst towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media, Au@Ir CSNWs show Pt-like ORR electroactivity due to the compositional synergism effect and structural advantages of 1D nanowires, accompanying with excellent durability and extremely enhanced methanol tolerance towards ORR.

Automated summary

The study successfully developed a rapid synthesis method for high-quality Au@Ir core-shell nanowires, demonstrating their potential application in electrocatalysis with superior catalytic activity and durability.