Phase properties of carbon-supported platinum-gold nanoparticles for formic acid eletro-oxidation

The design of active and robust bimetallic nanocatalysts requires the control of the nanoscale alloying, phase-segregation and the correlation between nanoscale phase-segregation and catalytic properties. To enhance the performance and durability of formic acid oxidation reaction in fuel-cell applications, we prepared a platinum-gold (PtAu) nanocatalyst with controlled morphology and composition. The catalyst is further treated by calcination under controlled temperature and atmosphere. The morphology of the bimetallic nanoparticles is determined by transmission electron microscopy. The nanoscale phase properties and surface composition are carried out by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry measurements demonstrated that the catalytic activity is highly dependent on the nanoscale evolution of alloying and phase segregation. The mass activity of as-prepared Pt₅₀Au₅₀/C with 600 °C treatment temperature is about 11 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C. Stability tests showed no obvious loss of activity after 500 potential cycles. The high activity and stability are attributed to lattice contraction effect as a result of the high thermal treatment condition. Our findings demonstrate the importance of phase segregation at the nanoscale in harnessing the true electrocatalytic potential of bimetallic nanoparticles.