Electrocatalytic performance of Nicore@Ptshell/C core–shell nanoparticle with the Pt in nanoshell

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 38; no. 33; pp. 14261 - 14268
• Main Authors: Duan, Donghong, Liu, Shibin, Yang, Chunying, Zhang, Zhonglin, Hao, Xiaogang, Wei, Guoqiang, Li, Yibing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 04.11.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Core–shell nanoparticle; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Hydrogen; Methanol oxidation reaction; Nickel–platinum; Oxygen reduction reaction; Methanol oxidation reaction; Nickel–platinum; Oxygen reduction reaction; Core–shell nanoparticle; Hydrogen; Nanoparticle; Platinum; Nickel―platinum; Nickel; Oxidation; Performance; Core―shell nanoparticle; Methanol
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2013.08.132

The Ni1@Pt0.067 core–shell nanoparticles with a thin layer of Pt shell have been prepared by colloidal template method. The structure and composition of the prepared core–shell nanoparticles have been analyzed by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, the electrochemical performance of the prepared nanoparticles has been analyzed by potentiodynamic polarization and cyclic voltammetry (CV), by testing their activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). Experimental results indicate that the Ni1@Pt0.067 particles are well distributed, with an average particle size of approximately 6 nm and shell thickness of approximately 0.5 nm–2.1 nm. Compared with Pt/C, the Ni1@Pt0.067/C nanoparticles prepared in this study show significantly improved catalytic activity towards ORR and MOR. However, with increase in methanol concentration in the electrolyte composed of 0.5 mol L−1 H2SO4 + x mol L−1 methanol (where, x = 0, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0), the limiting current of MOR on Ni1@Pt0.067/C increase remarkably, whereas the ORR activity weakens. Based on the experimental data, we analyze the mechanism underlying the impact of methanol concentration on the ORR in Ni1@Pt0.067/C and find that the surface of Pt has a variety of activity sites. •A core–shell Ni1@Pt0.067 with thin Pt in shell was prepared.•The size of Ni1@Pt0.067 was approximately 6 nm with the shell was 0.5 nm–2.1 nm.•The activity of ORR and MOR on Ni1@Pt0.067 electrocatalyst is apparently improved.•There are three kinds of activity centers on the surface of nanoshell.