Microinjection assistant synthesis of Pt-Pd hollow nanoparticles for enhanced methanol oxidation reaction

Abstract

A large-scale synthesis for electrocatalysts with controllable composition and surface atomic structure is crucial for practical application. Herein, Pt-Pd hollow nanoparticles (HNs) were prepared by a facile microinjection strategy. Due to high-density nanopores, atomic steps and grain boundaries, the Pt-Pd HNs exhibit a superior catalytic activity for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) than commercial Pt black. Moreover, theoretical calculation proves that compared with the Pt and Pd, the Pt-Pd alloy structure possess a high anti-poisoning capability to CO and a low energy barrier in the rate-limiting step. Both are favorable for the MOR. This work proposes a strategy for large-scale preparation of the hollow electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity, thus promote practical application of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs).