Maximizing metal utilization by coupling cross-linked PtRu multi-atom on an atomically dispersed ZnFeNC support

Abstract

Minimizing noble-metal (NM) usage by exposing all metal atoms on surfaces for catalysis has been a longstanding goal in the development of highly efficient NM catalysts. Here, we realized the full utilization of Pt and Ru atoms by anchoring the cross-linked PtRu multi-atom on the surface of atomically dispersed Zn, Fe and N tri-doped carbon nanomaterials through Pt–N and Ru–N bonds. This supported bimetallic PtRu multi-atom catalyst has extremely high atom efficiency and shows excellent stability and high activity towards the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the strongly coupled Pt–N and Ru–N bonds are critical for stabilizing multi-atom PtRu.