Controllable synthesis of efficient Ru-doped PtSn alloy nanoplate electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation reaction

Platinum (Pt) is considered as the preferred metal catalyst for methanol oxidation reactions. However, the application prospects of Pt catalysts are limited due to the inherent scarcity and cost. Enabling a trace amount of Pt to exert satisfactory catalytic activity and durability has become a key issue in designing electrocatalysts. Here, Ru-doped PtSn alloy nanoplates (PtSn@Ru NP) with an average particle size of less than 5 nm were controllably synthesized by adjusting the Pt-Sn atomic ratio. Compared with Ru-doped PtSn alloy nanospheres (PtSn@Ru NS/C, 714.7 mA/mg(P)(t)), PtSn bimetallic nanoplates (PtSn NP/C, 880.2 mA/mg(P)(t)) and commercial Pt/C (299.6 mA/mg(P)(t)), the prepared PtSn@Ru NP/C (1105.1 mA/ mg(P)(t)) exhibited an extraordinary methanol oxidation mass activity. Furthermore, the peak oxidation current retention of PtSn@Ru NP/C was as high as at 87.5% after 1000 accelerated durability tests. The significantly enhanced catalytic performance and durability were attributed to the synergistic effect of the alloy components and morphological advantages. This work has led us to think more deeply about the constitutive relationship between structure and performance. (C) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, Ru-doped PtSn alloy nanoplates were synthesized by adjusting the alloy composition, and these nanoplates exhibited extraordinary catalytic activity and durability in methanol oxidation reactions, which can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the alloy components and the morphological advantages.