Boosting the performance of Pt electro-catalysts toward formic acid electro-oxidation by depositing sub-monolayer Au clusters

摘要: Abstract CO poisoning is the main obstacle to application of Pt nanoparticles as anode catalysts in direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFCs). Significant types alloys have been investigated, which often demonstrate evidently improved catalytic performance governed by difference mechanisms. By using a well-known electrochemical technique under potential deposition and situ redox replacement, sub-monolayer Au clusters are deposited onto nanoparticle surfaces highly controlled manner, generating unique surface alloy structure. Under optimum conditions, modified can exhibit greatly enhanced specific activity (up 23-fold increase) at −0.2 V vs. MSE toward electro-oxidation (FAEO). Interestingly, mass also be factor 2.3 −0.35 V although significant amount atoms covered overlayer clusters. The much ascribed ensemble effect, induces change reaction path. Moreover, coating on contributes catalyst durability inhibiting oxidation. These results show great rationally design more active stable nanocatalysts modifying with otherwise inactive materials.