One-step fabrication of bimetallic PtPd mesoporous nanospheres for methanol electrooxidation

Control of the chemical composition and morphology of electrochemical nanocatalysts is a promising strategy to effectively promote electrocatalytic oxidation in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Here, we describe a general soft-template-directed one-pot synthesis for the formation of bimetallic mesoporous nanospheres (MNSs) with cylindrically open mesoporous nanochannels. Three-dimensional (3D) well-dispersed bimetallic PtPd MNSs were prepared through in situ co-reduction of Pt and Pd precursor on the soft-templating structural directing amphiphilic surfactant of bisoctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (BDAC) under optimal reaction conditions without using any toxic organic solvent. Owing to the synergistic advantages in structure and composition, the as-prepared mesoporous morphology of the bimetallic PtPd MNSs has more active sites and accelerates electron/mass transfer. Especially, the Pt1Pd4.8 MNSs possessed a mass activity of 3450 mA mg(metal)(-1) and specific activity of 163.8 mA cm(-2), which are 6.63 and 20.76 times higher than commercial Pt/ C (520 mA mg(Pt)(-1) and 7.89 mA cm(-2)). Therefore, it shows outstanding catalytic activity and stability toward electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol under alkaline conditions.

Automated summary

A one-pot synthesis method using soft-template-directed formation has been developed to prepare bimetallic mesoporous nanospheres with excellent catalytic activity and stability for methanol electrocatalytic oxidation.