Title: Platinum–Cobalt bimetallic nanoparticles with Pt skin for electro-oxidation of ethanol

Author: Bin-Wei Zhang, Tian Sheng, Yun-Xiao Wang, Xi-Ming Qu, Jun-Ming Zhang, Zong-Cheng Zhang, Honggang Liao, Fuchun Zhu, Shi Xue Dou, YanXia Jiang, and Shi-Gang Sun

Abstract:

In order to maximize the Pt utilization in catalysts and improve catalytic processes, here we report a facile strategy for synthesizing Pt3Co with Pt-skin structure bimetallic nanocatalysts directly supported on porous graphitic carbon. The thickness of Pt-skin is 1–2 atomic layers, about 0.5 nm. Pt3Co with Pt-skin bimetallic nanocatalysts showed higher ethanol electro-oxidation, with a mass activity of 0.79 mA gPt-1, which is 250% enhancements compared with commercial Pt/C (0.32 mA gPt-1). Electrochemical in situ FTIR and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that Pt3Co with Pt-skin is proven to promote partial oxidation of ethanol over C-C bond breaking, leading to higher acetic acid production than CO2 production.

FULLLINK: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acscatal.6b03021