Electroless Pt Deposition on Mn3O4 Nanoparticles via the Galvanic Replacement Process: Electrocatalytic Nanocomposite with Enhanced Performance for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

A novel electroless Pt deposition method was exploited by employing the galvanic replacement process occurring between the Mn3O4 surface and PtCl4(2-) complexes. The newly discovered process provides a simple protocol to produce the catalytic nanocomposite, in which a high density of ultrafine Pt nanocrystals is stably immobilized in a homogeneously dispersive state on the surface of Mn3O4 nanoparticles. When the eletrocatalytic activity was tested for the oxygen reduction reaction, which limits the rate of the overall process in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells, the resulting Pt/Mn3O4 nanocomposite showed highly enhanced specific activity and durability, compared with those of the commercial Pt/C catalyst.