Rational synthesis of ternary PtIrNi nanocrystals with enhanced poisoning tolerance for electrochemical ethanol oxidation

Abstract

Abstract The development of highly efficient and durable anode materials for ethanol electro-oxidation remains a challenge. Herein, we report the synthesis of Pt1−x−yIrxNiy nanocrystals via one-step procedure by ultrasonic-assisted co-reduction of the metal precursors using ascorbic acid as a mild reducing agent and pluronic F127 as a structure directing agent. The catalytic performance of this ternary catalyst towards electrochemical oxidation of ethanol was examined and compared to its mono and binary Pt counterparts (Pt, Pt1−xIrx, and Pt1−yNiy) that are synthesized by the same method. TEM analysis showed a porous nanodendritic structure for the synthesized ternary electrocatalyst with an average size of 20\u202f±\u202f1\u202fnm. The electrochemical measurements revealed an electrochemically active surface area, ECSA, of 73\u202fm2\u202fg−1. The as-synthesized ternary electrocatalyst showed an improved catalytic activity towards ethanol oxidation in 1\u202fM KOH with a measured mass activity of 3.8\u202fA\u202fmg−1 which is 1.7, 2.0, and 3.2 times higher than that of Pt1−xIrx, Pt1−yNiy, and Pt, respectively. Additionally, the Pt1−x−yIrxNiy nanocrystals expressed high poisoning tolerance (jf/jb\u202f=\u202f4.5) and high durability compared to its mono and binary counterparts.