Platinum-Copper Bimetallic Nanodendritic Electrocatalyst on a TiO2-Based Support for Methanol Oxidation in Alkaline Fuel Cells

Tuning the structure and morphology of Pt-based nanocatalysts is a facile but efficient strategy for advancing their electro-oxidation performance for small molecules. This study introduces a simple microwave-assisted process for the rapid preparation of bimetallic Pt3Cu nanodendrites (NDs) with multibranched morphology on a W-modified TiO2 nanosupport. The as-prepared nanocatalyst shows superior performance to C-supported Pt nanoparticles (NPs) (E-TEK) toward the methanol oxidation reaction with a negative onset potential, high-current density, and impressive CO tolerance and durability. The enhancement can be assigned to the unique properties of the dendritic-like nanostructure and the synergic and electronic effects of the compounds, Pt3Cu nanoalloy, and mesoporous W-modified TiO2 nanosupport. This work can open up an efficient approach for fabricating bimetallic Pt-M nanoalloys with a tunable structure and morphology to enhance their electrocatalytic performance with a decrease of Pt consumption for electrochemical energy conversion.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the superior performance of bimetallic Pt3Cu nanodendrites prepared through a microwave-assisted process on a W-modified TiO2 nanosupport for methanol oxidation reaction compared to traditional Pt nanoparticles. The unique properties of the nanodendritic-like structure and the synergic and electronic effects of Pt3Cu nanoalloy and mesoporous W-modified TiO2 nanosupport contribute to the enhancement of electrocatalytic performance.