Synthesis and characterization of ultra-small octahedral PtNiCo skeletons with high activity for the oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

Here, we report the synthesis of a ternary PtNiCo octahedral skeletal catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). A mixed flow of H₂ and CO facilitated complete reduction, promoted Pt diffusion, and enabled the formation of octahedral PtNiCo nanoparticles (NPs). The resulting ternary skeletal catalyst, obtained after acid treatment, exhibited a mass activity (MA) of 1.64 A mg_Pt⁻¹ and a specific activity (SA) of 3.73 mA cm⁻², which are 7.5 and 14.3 times higher, respectively, than those of commercial Pt/C.