Metal-nonmetal nanoarchitectures: quaternary PtPdNiP mesoporous nanospheres for enhanced oxygen reduction electrocatalysis

The controllable synthesis of mesoporous Pt-based catalysts with designed compositions is highly desired for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this work, we look beyond the traditional Pt-based all-metal alloys and fabricate quaternary PtPdNiP mesoporous nanospheres (PtPdNiP MNs) using a facile two-step strategy. Benefitting from their mesoporous nanoarchitectures and composition effect, the as-fabricated PtPdNiP MNs exhibit superior catalytic activity and durability for the ORR. The proposed synthetic strategy is highly feasible for the fabrication of metal-nonmetal nanoarchitectures with designed structures and controlled compositions.