Self-assembled 3D hydrangea-like Fe2P–CoP–NDC as an efficient carrier material of Pt nanoparticles for the methanol oxidation reaction

Abstract

Adjusting the morphology of Pt-based catalysts to increase the utilization of noble metal Pt towards the methanol oxidation reaction has become an efficient method to improve the catalytic performance. In this work, 3D hydrangea-like Fe₂P–CoP nitrogen-doped carbon (Fe₂P–CoP–NDC) with large specific surface area was assembled by means of solvothermal and pyrolytic phosphorization. The hydrangea-like Pt/Fe₂P–CoP–NDC catalyst prepared by depositing platinum nanoparticles on Fe₂P–CoP–NDC exhibits a better mass activity of 917 mA mg_Pt⁻¹ during the methanol oxidation reaction, which is 2.33 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C (393 mA mg_Pt⁻¹), and the Pt/Fe₂P–CoP–NDC sample also shows excellent durability after 1000 cycles. The enhanced catalytic activity of the Pt/Fe₂P–CoP–NDC catalyst can be ascribed to the synergetic effect of NDC, metal phosphide and Pt (electron transfer from neighboring atoms to Pt), which changes the surface electronic structure of Pt and maximizes its utilization, consequently weakening the adsorption of CO during methanol oxidation. Furthermore, the unique 3D hydrangea-like Fe₂P–CoP–NDC can effectively improve the interaction between Pt and support, promoting the overall catalytic stability of the catalyst.