3D Pt/2D-NiMOF/rGO-Supported Subsized Pt Nanoparticles for Excellent CO Tolerance and Improved Methanol Oxidation in Both Alkaline and Acidic Media

Direct methanol fuel cells have warranted much attention as the ideal energy-converting devices owing to their superior properties. Maximizing the performance of Pt-based electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) while minimizing the adsorption of toxic CO molecules during the catalytic process still remains a great challenge. Herein, multidimensional ternary composite electrocatalysts of 3D Pt/2D-NiMOF/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are prepared with subsized Pt nanoparticles (2.1 nm) distributed on 2D-NiMOF nanosheets supported by 3D porous graphene (3.9 wt % Pt). For the synergistic effect between Pt nanoparticles and 2D-NiMOF nanosheets, these 3D Pt/2D-NiMOF/rGO catalysts show superior mass activities of 3.49 and 1.48 A mg(Pt)(-1) for MOR in alkaline and acidic solutions, respectively, which are about 5.7 and 4.3 times that of commercial Pt/C, respectively. Additionally, both the CO tolerance and the stability of 3D Pt/2D-NiMOF/rGO electrocatalysts are significantly enhanced.

Automated summary

In this study, multidimensional ternary composite electrocatalysts were used to enhance the performance of direct methanol fuel cells. The catalysts showed high mass activities and improved CO tolerance and stability.