Small (<5 nm), Clean, and Well-Structured Cubic Platinum Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Electrochemical Characterization

Shape-controlled metal nanoparticles are significantly improving the electrocatalysis of many relevant reactions. By controlling the shape of nanoparticles, it is possible to engineer their surface to exhibit a preferential structure. However, to facilitate the incorporation of shaped nanomaterials into practical electrochemical devices, it is indispensable to overcome limitations caused by their large particle size (typically >5 nm). For practical applications, nanoparticles must have a size lower than 5 nm with a clean surface to decrease costs and provide a sufficiently large specific surface area. This is a major challenge that has remained unexplored up to now. Herein, we present the synthesis and electrochemical characterization of 3-5 nm, with well-defined cubic Pt nanoparticles supported on carbon. The electrochemical characterization of the nanoparticles evidences the existence of a preferential {100} and clean structure (within about 40 % of {100} terrace surface).

Automated summary

By controlling the shape, metal nanoparticles can be significantly improved for electrocatalysis, but overcoming limitations from large particle size is necessary for practical applications, where nanoparticles should be smaller than 5 nm. Researchers synthesized 3-5 nm cubic Pt nanoparticles with about 40% preferential {100} structure on the surface.