Shape-selective synthesis and facet-dependent electrocatalytic activity of CoPt3 nanocrystals

Abstract

Testing the facet-dependent electrocatalytic activity of noble metal alloy nanocrystals has attracted increasing interest towards improving the performance of direct methanol fuel cells. Herein, CoPt₃ nanocrystals with high shape- and facet-selectivity are synthesized via a non-injection strategy. The (111)-facet-dominant nanoflowers are more active for catalytic oxidation of methanol than the (100)-facet-dominant nanocubes and nanoparticles with irregular facets.