PtCu bimetallic alloy nanotubes with porous surface for oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

A facile wet chemistry method was developed for the synthesis of PtCu bimetallic alloy nanotubes with controllable composition and porous surfaces by employing Te nanowire as a hard template. Due to the synergetic effect among the components as well as their one-dimensional porous nanostructure, the PtCu nanotubes present enhanced electrocatalytic activity and durability for oxygen reduction reaction in acid solution. The mass activity and specific activity of Pt₇₆Cu₂₄ reach 0.41 A mg_Pt⁻¹ and 0.83 mA cm⁻², and are about 3 and 5 times higher than that of Pt/C catalysts. The bimetallic alloys could be considered as an excellent candidate for electrocatalysts and other potential applications.