Trimetallic PtCoFe Alloy Monolayer Superlattices as Bifunctional Oxygen‐Reduction and Ethanol‐Oxidation Electrocatalysts

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Vol. 13; no. 24; pp. 1700250 - n/a
• Main Authors: Sial, Muhammad Aurang Zeb Gul, Lin, Haifeng, Zulfiqar, Muhammad, Ullah, Shaheed, Ni, Bing, Wang, Xun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.06.2017
• Subjects: Catalysts; Electrocatalysts; Ethanol; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Oxidation; oxygen reduction reaction; Oxygen reduction reactions; Platinum; self‐assembled; Superlattices; trimetallic nanoparticles; trimetallic nanoparticles; oxygen reduction reaction; self-assembled; superlattices
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201700250

A synthesis strategy for the preparation of trimetallic PtCoFe alloy nanoparticle superlattices is reported. Trimetallic PtCoFe alloy monolayer array of nanoparticle superlattices with a large density of high index facets and platinum‐rich surface are successfully prepared by coreduction of metal precursors in formamide solvent. The concentration of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide plays a vital role for the formation of a monolayer array of nanoparticle superlattices, while the size of nanoparticles is determined by NaI. The prepared monolayer array of nanoparticle superlattices is the superior catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction as well as for ethanol oxidation owing to their specific structural and compositional characteristics. A trimetallic PtCoFe alloy monolayer array of nanoparticle superlattices, an electrocatalysts consisting of large density high index facets and Pt rich surfaces with interesting intermetallic phase for boasting fuel cell applications, is successfully synthesized. These features enable nanoparticle superlattices to exhibit impressive activity and stability than commercial Pt/C catalysts toward the oxygen reduction reaction.