Monodispersed Pt3Ni Nanoparticles as a Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for PEMFCs

Abstract

A facile strategy is proposed to synthesize monodispersed Pt3Ni nanoparticles. Such a kind of electrocatalyst shows a larger electrochemical surface area (98.9 m2 gpt−1) and double the mass activity of the oxygen reduction reaction activity compared to commercial Pt/C catalyst. The results show that the suitable addition of Ni and triethylamine in the reduction process plays an important role in controlling the size and dispersion of Pt3Ni nanoparticles. A further membrane electrode assembly test proves that as-prepared Pt3Ni nanoparticles can greatly enhance the electrochemical performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, which exhibits a great potential of application in fuel cells.