Pt2SnCu nanoalloy with surface enrichment of Pt defects and SnO2 for highly efficient electrooxidation of ethanol†
Abstract
We artfully synthesized Pt defects and SnO2 on the surface of a carbon-supported Pt2SnCu nanoalloy (Pt2SnCu–O-A/C) by in situ surface oxidation and acid treatment. The Pt2SnCu–O-A/C modified in this way exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activities for the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in comparison to the commercial Pt/C and PtRu/C. The surface activity and mass activity are, respectively, 3.1 and 4.3 times greater than those of Pt/C. The enhanced activity for ethanol oxidation is attributed to the synergistic catalytic effect of Pt defects and SnO2.