Synthesis of Polystyrene Microsphere-Supported Ag-Ni-Alloyed Catalysts with Core-Shell Structures for Electrocatalytic Performance

• Published in: Polymer-plastics technology and engineering Vol. 57; no. 9; pp. 875 - 883
• Main Authors: Yu, Yue, Luan, Dongxue, Bi, Changlong, Ma, Yu, Chen, Yongheng, Zhao, Dongyu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Taylor & Francis 13.06.2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemical reduction; Chemical synthesis; Controllability; Core-shell structure; Electrocatalysts; electrocatalytic; Liquid phases; Microspheres; Morphology; Nickel base alloys; Nitrophenol; oxygen reduction reaction; Oxygen reduction reactions; p-nitrophenol; Performance degradation; Polystyrene resins; Shells; Silver base alloys; Sulfuric acid; surface functionalized
• ISSN: 0360-2559; 1525-6111
• DOI: 10.1080/03602559.2017.1354250

Rationally designed synthesis strategy for well-defined morphology which can endow the catalysts with unexpectedly enhanced catalytic properties remains a significant challenge in heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Hence, here we report a facile and controllable synthesis of polystyrene microsphere-supported Ag-Ni-alloyed catalysts (PS@Ag-Ni) with uniform core-shell structures through sulfonated treatment coupled with the subsequent liquid-phase reduction strategy. In this typical synthesis, sulfuric acid acts as the bifunctional roles in directing the core-shell morphology and the linker between the polystyrene microspheres and Ag-Ni alloy. The as-obtained PS@Ag-Ni optimized by tuning in a mass ratio of 1:1 shows superior oxygen reduction reaction activity and electrocatalytic performance toward the degradation of p-nitrophenol in comparison with other range of polystyrene microspheres and Ag-Ni alloy feeding ratios. The superior electrocatalytic and oxygen reduction reaction activity are attributed to its highly uniform core-shell morphology and exposure of much more active sites. Moreover, our as-prepared core-shell electrocatalysts will enable further investigation in other catalytic reactions.