Oxygen‐Assisted Synthesis of Mesoporous Palladium Nanoparticles as Highly Active Electrocatalysts

Mesoporous Pd nanoparticles (MPNs) enclosed by high‐index facets have been successfully prepared by taking advantage of successive oxygen adsorption and desorption caused by the oxidative etching effect. The as‐prepared MPNs exhibit excellent performance toward formic acid electro‐oxidation, which is due to the synergetic effect between the diffusion‐feasible tubular mesochannels and the high index facets.     

Structural and Electronic Effects of Carbon‐Supported PtxPd1−x Nanoparticles on the Electrocatalytic Activity of the Oxygen‐Reduction Reaction and on Methanol Tolerance

We report a systematic investigation on the structural and electronic effects of carbon‐supported Pt_xPd_1?x bimetallic nanoparticles on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in acid electrolyte. Pt_xPd_1?x/C nanocatalysts with various Pt/Pd atomic ratios (x=0.25, 0.5, and 0.75) were synthesized by using a borohydride‐reduction method. Rotating‐disk electrode measurements revealed that the Pt₃Pd₁/C nanocatalyst has a synergistic effect on the ORR, showing 50 % enhancement, and an antagonistic effect on the MOR, showing 90 % reduction, relative to JM 20 Pt/C on a mass basis. The extent of alloying and Pt d‐band vacancies of the Pt_xPd_1?x/C nanocatalysts were explored by extended X‐ray absorption fine‐structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) and X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure spectroscopy (XANES). The structure–activity relationship indicates that ORR activity and methanol tolerance of the nanocatalysts strongly depend on their extent of alloying and d‐band vacancies. The optimal composition for enhanced ORR activity is Pt₃Pd₁/C, with high extent of alloying and low Pt d‐band vacancies, owing to favorable O? O scission and inhibited formation of oxygenated intermediates. MOR activity also shows structure dependence. For example, Pt₁Pd₃/C with Pt_rich?corePd_rich?shell structure possesses lower MOR activity than the Pt₃Pd₁/C nanocatalyst with random alloy structure. Herein, extent of alloying and d‐band vacancies reveal new insights into the synergistic and antagonistic effects of the Pt_xPd_1?x/C nanocatalysts on surface reactivity.     

Designed Synthesis of Well‐Defined Pd@Pt Core–Shell Nanoparticles with Controlled Shell Thickness as Efficient Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts

Improving the electrocatalytic activity and durability of Pt‐based catalysts with low Pt content toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the main challenges in advancing the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Herein, a designed synthesis of well‐defined Pd@Pt core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) with a controlled Pt shell thickness of 0.4–1.2 nm by a facile wet chemical method and their electrocatalytic performances for ORR as a function of shell thickness are reported. Pd@Pt NPs with predetermined structural parameters were prepared by in situ heteroepitaxial growth of Pt on as‐synthesized 6 nm Pd NPs without any sacrificial layers and intermediate workup processes, and thus the synthetic procedure for the production of Pd@Pt NPs with well‐defined sizes and shell thicknesses is greatly simplified. The Pt shell thickness could be precisely controlled by adjusting the molar ratio of Pt to Pd. The ORR performance of the Pd@Pt NPs strongly depended on the thickness of their Pt shells. The Pd@Pt NPs with 0.94 nm Pt shells exhibited enhanced specific activity and higher durability compared to other Pd@Pt NPs and commercial Pt/C catalysts. Testing Pd@Pt NPs with 0.94 nm Pt shells in a membrane electrode assembly revealed a single‐cell performance comparable with that of the Pt/C catalyst despite their lower Pt content, that is the present NP catalysts can facilitate low‐cost and high‐efficient applications of PEMFCs.     

Electrochemical Preparation of N‐Doped Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles with High Electrocatalytic Activity for the Oxygen‐Reduction Reaction

Nitrogen‐doped CoO (N‐CoO) nanoparticles with high electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR) were fabricated by electrochemical reduction of CoCl₂ in acetonitrile solution at cathodic potentials. The initially generated, highly reactive nitrogen‐doped Co nanoparticles were readily oxidized to N‐CoO nanoparticles in air. In contrast to their N‐free counterparts (CoO or Co₃O₄), N‐CoO nanoparticles with a N content of about 4.6 % exhibit remarkable ORR electrocatalytic activity, stability, and immunity to methanol crossover in an alkaline medium. The Co?N_x active sites in the CoO nanoparticles are held responsible for the high ORR activity. This work opens a new path for the preparation of nitrogen‐doped transition metal oxide nanomaterials, which are promising electrocatalysts for fuel cells.     

Cu‐Based Nanoparticles as Emerging Environmental Catalysts

This account provides an overview of current research activities on nanoparticles containing the earth‐abundant and inexpensive element copper (Cu) and Cu‐based nanoparticles, especially in the field of environmental catalysis. The different synthetic strategies with possible modification of the chemical/ physical properties of these nanoparticles using such strategies and/or conditions to improve catalytic activity are presented. The design and development of support and/or bimetallic systems (e. g., alloys, intermetallic, etc.) are also included. Herein, we report synthetic approaches of Cu and Cu‐based nanoparticles (monometallic copper, bimetallic copper and copper (II) oxide nanoparticles/nanostructures) and impregnation of such nanoparticles onto support material (e. g., Co₃O₄ nanostructure), along with their applications as environmental catalyst for various oxidation and reduction reactions. Finally, this account provides necessary advances and perspectives of Cu‐based nanoparticles in the environmental catalysis.     

A Nanoporous PdCo Alloy as a Highly Active Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen‐Reduction Reaction and Formic Acid Electrooxidation

A nanoporous (NP) PdCo alloy with uniform structure size and controllable bimetallic ratio was fabricated simply by one‐step mild dealloying of a PdCoAl precursor alloy. The as‐made alloy consists of a nanoscaled bicontinuous network skeleton with interconnected hollow channels that extend in all three dimensions. With a narrow ligament size distribution around 5 nm, the NP PdCo alloy exhibits much higher electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR) with enhanced specific and mass activities relative to NP Pd and commercial Pt/C catalysts. A long‐term stability test demonstrated that NP PdCo has comparable catalytic durability with less loss of ORR activity and electrochemical surface area than Pt/C. The NP PdCo alloy also shows dramatically enhanced catalytic activity towards formic acid electrooxidation relative to NP Pd and Pd/C catalysts. The as‐made NP PdCo holds great application potential as a promising cathode as well as an anode electrocatalyst in fuel cells with the advantages of superior catalytic performance and easy preparation.     

Supported Pd–Cu Bimetallic Nanoparticles That Have High Activity for the Electrochemical Oxidation of Methanol

Monodisperse bimetallic Pd–Cu nanoparticles with controllable size and composition were synthesized by a one‐step multiphase ethylene glycol (EG) method. Adjusting the stoichiometric ratio of the Pd and Cu precursors afforded nanoparticles with different compositions, such as Pd₈₅–Cu₁₅, Pd₅₆–Cu₄₄, and Pd₃₉–Cu₆₁. The nanoparticles were separated from the solution mixture by extraction with non‐polar solvents, such as n‐hexane. Monodisperse bimetallic Pd–Cu nanoparticles with narrow size‐distribution were obtained without the need for a size‐selection process. Capping ligands that were bound to the surface of the particles were removed through heat treatment when the as‐prepared nanoparticles were loaded onto a Vulcan XC‐72 carbon support. Supported bimetallic Pd–Cu nanoparticles showed enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidation compared with supported Pd nanoparticles that were fabricated according to the same EG method. For a bimetallic Pd–Cu catalyst that contained 15 % Cu, the activity was even comparable to the state‐of‐the‐art commercially available Pt/C catalysts. A STEM‐HAADF study indicated that the formation of random solid‐solution alloy structures in the bimetallic Pd₈₅–Cu₁₅/C catalysts played a key role in improving the electrochemical activity.     

Ion‐Exchange‐Assisted Synthesis of Pt‐VC Nanoparticles Loaded on Graphitized Carbon: A High‐Performance Nanocomposite Electrocatalyst for Oxygen‐Reduction Reactions

Carbide‐based electrocatalysts are superior to traditional carbon‐based electrocatalysts, such as the commercial Pt/C electrocatalysts, in terms of their mass activity and stability. Herein, we report a general approach for the preparation of a nanocomposite electrocatalyst of platinum and vanadium carbide nanoparticles that are loaded onto graphitized carbon. The nanocomposite, which was prepared in a localized and controlled fashion by using an ion‐exchange process, was an effective electrocatalyst for the oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR). Both the stability and the durability of the Pt‐VC/GC nanocomposite catalyst could be enhanced compared with the state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C. This approach can be extended to the synthesis of other metal‐carbide‐based nanocatalysts. Moreover, this straightforward synthesis of high‐performance composite nanocatalysts can be scaled up to meet the requirements for mass production.     

Synthesis of Highly Stable,Water‐Dispersible Copper Nanoparticles as Catalysts for Nitrobenzene Reduction

We report an aqueous‐phase synthetic route to copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) using a copper–surfactant complex and tests of their catalytic efficiency for a simple nitrophenol reduction reaction under atmospheric conditions. Highly stable, water‐dispersed CuNPs were obtained with the aid of polyacrylic acid (PAA), but not with other dispersants like surfactants or polymethacrylic acid (PMAA). The diameter of the CuNPs could be controlled in the range of approximately 30–85 nm by modifying the ratio of the metal precursor to PAA. The catalytic reduction of p‐nitrophenol to p‐aminophenol takes place at the surface of CuNPs at room temperature and was accurately monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy. The catalytic efficiency was found to be remarkably high for these PAA‐capped CuNPs, given the fact that at the same time PAA is efficiently preventing their oxidation as well. The activity was found to increase as the size of the CuNPs decreased. It can therefore be concluded that the synthesized CuNPs are catalytically highly efficient in spite of the presence of a protective PAA coating, which provides them with a long shelf life and thereby enhances the application potential of these CuNPs.     

Synthesis of Hollow Platinum–Palladium Nanospheres with a Dendritic Shell as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Methanol Oxidation

Engineering the size, composition, and morphology of platinum‐based nanomaterials can provide a great opportunity to improve the utilization efficiency of electrocatalysts and reinforce their electrochemical performances. Herein, three‐dimensional platinum–palladium hollow nanospheres with a dendritic shell (PtPd‐HNSs) are successfully fabricated through a facile and economic route, during which SiO₂ microspheres act as the hard template for the globular cavity, whereas the triblock copolymer F127 contributes to the formation of the dendritic shell. In contrast with platinum hollow nanospheres (Pt‐HNSs) and commercial platinum on carbon (Pt/C) catalyst, the novel architecture shows a remarkable activity and durability toward the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) owing to the coupled merits of bimetallic nanodendrites and a hollow interior. As a proof of concept, this strategy is also extended to trimetallic gold–palladium–platinum hollow nanospheres (AuPdPt‐HNSs), which paves the way towards the controlled synthesis of other bi‐ or multimetallic platinum‐based hollow electrocatalysts.     

The Role of Water for the Phase‐Selective Preparation of Hexagonal and Cubic Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles

A selective preparation and the formation mechanism of hexagonal and cubic CoO nanoparticles from the reaction of [Co(acac)₂] (acac=acetylacetonate) and amine have been investigated. CoO nanoparticles with a hexagonal pyramidal shape were yielded under decomposition conditions with amine. Importantly, the addition of water altered the final phase to cubic and comprehensively changed the reaction mechanism. The average sizes of the hexagonal and cubic CoO nanoparticles could be controlled either by changing the amine concentration or by using different reaction temperatures. Detailed formation mechanisms are proposed on the basis of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry data and color changes of the reaction mixture. The hexagonal CoO phase is obtained through two distinct pathways: solvolysis with C C bond cleavage and direct condensation by amine. On the other hand, the cubic CoO nanoparticles were synthesized by strong nucleophilic attack of hydroxide ions from water and subsequent C C bond breaking. The resulting caboxylate ligand can stabilize a cobalt hydroxide intermediate, leading to the generation of a thermodynamically stable CoO phase.     

Nitrogen and Oxygen Co-Doping Assisted Synthesis of Highly Dispersed Pd Nanoparticles on Hollow Carbon Spheres as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Electrochemical reduction of O₂ (oxygen reduction reaction; ORR) provides an opportunity to achieve the commercial application of clean energy, but it remains challenging, so the rational design of inexpensive and efficient electrocatalysts is required. Palladium-based electrocatalysts have emerged as a class of the most promising candidates for the ORR, which could accelerate O₂ adsorption, dissociation, and electron transfer. However, the metal Pd atoms tend to aggregate into nanoparticles, driven by the tendency of the metal surface free energy to decrease, which significantly reduces the atom utilization efficiency and the catalytic performance. Herein, a facile double solvent impregnation method is developed for the synthesis of highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles supported on hollow carbon spheres (Pd-HCS), which could act as efficient electrocatalysts for the ORR in basic solution. Systematic investigation reveals that the nitrogen-containing and oxygen-containing functional groups (especially −COOH groups) are essential for achieving the homogenous dispersion of Pd nanoparticles. Significantly, the optimized Pd-HCS electrocatalyst with homogeneously dispersed Pd nanoparticles and Pd−N sites delivers high electrocatalytic activity for the ORR and excellent stability, without significant decay in onset potential and half-potential and good resistance to methanol crossover. This work offers a new route for the rational design of efficient ORR electrocatalysts toward advanced materials and emerging applications.     

Fabrication of Nitrogen‐Doped Mesoporous‐Carbon‐Coated Palladium Nanoparticles: An Intriguing Electrocatalyst for Methanol and Formic Acid Oxidation

Inspired by the attractive catalytic properties of palladium and the inert nature of carbon supports in catalysis, a concise and simple methodology for in situ nitrogen‐doped mesoporous‐carbon‐supported palladium nanoparticles (Pd/N‐C) has been developed by carbonizing a palladium dimethylglyoximate complex. The as‐synthesized Pd/N‐C has been exfoliated as a fuel cell catalyst by studying the electro‐oxidation of methanol and formic acid. The material synthesized at 400 °C,namely, Pd/N‐C‐400,exhibitssuperior mass activity and stability among catalysts synthesized under different carbonization temperaturesbetween300 and 500 °C. The unique 1D porous structure in Pd/N‐C‐400 helps better electron transport at the electrode surface, which eventually leads to about five times better catalytic activity and about two times higher stability than that of commercial Pd/C. Thus, our designed sacrificial metal–organic templatedirected pathway becomes a promising technique for Pd/N‐C synthesis with superior catalytic performances.     

Well‐Defined Palladium Nanoparticles Supported on Siliceous Mesocellular Foam as Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Oxidation of Water

Herein, we describe the use of Pd nanoparticles immobilized on an amino‐functionalized siliceous mesocellular foam for the catalytic oxidation of H₂O. The Pd nanocatalyst proved to be capable of mediating the four‐electron oxidation of H₂O to O₂, both chemically and photochemically. The Pd nanocatalyst is easy to prepare and shows high chemical stability, low leaching, and recyclability. Together with its promising catalytic activity, these features make the Pd nanocatalyst of potential interest for future sustainable solar‐fuel production.     

Carbon Aerogels Supported Pt Nanoparticles as Electrocatalysts for Methanol Oxidation in Alkaline Media

Carbon aerogels (CAs) were prepared by sol‐gel polycondensation of resorcinol and formaldehyde with BET surface area of 616 m² g^?1 and the average pore size of 9.8 nm. The prepared CAs were used as supports for Pt nanoparticles for methanol oxidation in alkaline media. In comparison with Pt supported on commercial Vulcan XC‐72R carbon (Pt/C) electrocatalysts, Pt supported on CAs (Pt/CAs) electrocatalysts exhibited higher peak current density and more negative onset potential toward methanol oxidation. The effects of different parameters such as NaOH concentration, methanol concentration, and scan rate on the methanol oxidation reaction were investigated in detail. The results showed that the Pt/CAs electrocatalysts had promising application for methanol oxidation in alkaline media.