Wet chemical synthesis of intermetallic Pt3Zn nanocrystals via weak reduction reaction together with UPD process and their excellent electrocatalytic performances

Abstract

Platinum based alloy nanocrystals are promising catalysts for a variety of important practical process. However, it remains a great challenge to synthesize platinum-based intermetallic compound nanocrystals with well-defined surface structures. In this communication, taking the synthesis of concave cubic intermetallic Pt₃Zn nanocrystals with {hk0} facets as an example, we proposed a new synthesis strategy for intermetallic compounds by reduction of noble metal precursors via a slow reduction process and reduction of transition metal ions via an underpotential deposition (UPD) process in wet chemical synthesis. The as-prepared intermetallic Pt₃Zn nanocrystals exhibited superior CO poisoning tolerance and high electro-catalytic activity in both methanol and formic acid oxidation reactions in comparison with solid solution Pt₃Zn nanocrystals and Pt/C.