Li-Ping Mei

A general strategy for the facile synthesis of AuM (M = Pt/Pd) alloyed flowerlike-assembly nanochains for enhanced oxygen reduction reaction

In this work, a general strategy was developed for the facile synthesis of bimetallic AuM (M = Pt or Pd) alloyed flowerlike-assembly nanochains (FANs) with the assistance of diprophylline as a structure-directing and stabilizing agent. The morphologies, crystal structures, and compositions of AuPt and AuPd FANs were investigated primarily by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The formation mechanism was discussed in some detail by varying the concentration of diprophylline. The as-prepared AuM FANs displayed improved catalytic activities and better stabilities for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) compared to commercial E-TEK Pt/C, Pt black and Pd black.

Novel phenol biosensor based on laccase immobilized on reduced graphene oxide supported palladium-copper alloyed nanocages.

Developing new nanomaterials is of key importance to improve the analytical performances of electrochemical biosensors. In this work, palladium-copper alloyed nanocages supported on reduced graphene oxide (RGO-PdCu NCs) were facilely prepared by a simple one-pot solvothermal method. A novel phenol biosensor based on laccase has been constructed for rapid detection of catachol, using RGO-PdCu NCs as electrode material. The as-developed phenol biosensor greatly enhanced the electrochemical signals for catechol. Under the optimal conditions, the biosensor has two linear ranges from 0.005 to 1.155 mM and 1.655 to 5.155 mM for catachol detection at 0.6 V, the sensitivity of 12.65 µA mM(-1) and 5.51 µA mM(-1), respectively. This biosensor showed high selectivity, low detection limit, good reproducibility, and high anti-interference ability.

Surfactant-free synthesis of reduced graphene oxide supported porous PtAu alloyed nanoflowers with improved catalytic activity

A simple and facile one-pot wet-chemical co-reduction method was developed for the synthesis of reduced graphene oxide supported porous PtAu alloyed nanoflowers (PtAu-nanoflowers/rGO). p-Aminopyridine was employed as a structure-directing agent and a stabilizing agent. No seed, template, surfactant, or polymer was involved in the synthesis process. It was found that the reaction temperature and the dosage of p-aminopyridine were essential for the final product. Furthermore, the as-prepared nanocomposites showed improved catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol in contrast to monometallic Pt nanocrystals/rGO, Au nanocrystals/rGO, and commercial Pt/C (50 wt%).

One-pot solvothermal synthesis of bimetallic yolk–shell Ni@PtNi nanocrystals supported on reduced graphene oxide and their excellent catalytic properties for p-nitrophenol reduction

Well-defined bimetallic yolk–shell nanostructures of Ni@PtNi nanocrystals with porous shells were uniformly deposited on reduced graphene oxide (Ni@PtNi NCs-rGO) under hydrothermal conditions. The physical characterization was systematically investigated by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The as-fabricated products exhibited improved catalytic performance toward the reduction of p-nitrophenol in comparison with commercial Pt/C (50 wt%), monometallic Pt nanoparticles/rGO and Ni nanoparticles/rGO catalysts.

l-Glutamic acid assisted eco-friendly one-pot synthesis of sheet-assembled platinum-palladium alloy networks for methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions

In this work, bimetallic platinum-palladium sheet-assembled alloy networks (PtPd SAANs) were facilely synthesized by an eco-friendly one-pot aqueous approach under the guidance of l-glutamic acid at room temperature, without any additive, seed, toxic or organic solvent involved. l-Glutamic acid was served as the green shape-director and weak-stabilizing agent. A series of characterization techniques were employed to examine the morphology, structure and formation mechanism of the product. The architectures exhibited improved electrocatalytic activity and durable ability toward methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in contrast with commercial Pt black and Pd black catalysts. This is ascribed to the unique structures of the obtained PtPd SAANs and the synergistic effects of the bimetals. These results demonstrate the potential application of the prepared catalyst in fuel cells.