Flexible Pt2Pd alloy nanosheet electrocatalysts for efficient oxygen reduction reaction and zinc–air batteries

Abstract

The utilization of two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets as catalysts is promising due to their atomic-scale thickness and extensive surfaces. The development of a high-quality, flexible Pt-based nanosheet with an efficient synthesis method is imperative. In this study, we present a 2D Pt₂Pd porous alloy nanosheet synthesized through a novel process involving molten-alkali mechanochemical and borane morpholine complex reduction methods. This nanosheet exhibits a pristine 2D active surface, serving as an efficient catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The Pt₂Pd porous alloy nanosheet catalyst displays a high half-wave potential of 0.956 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), along with remarkable mass and specific activities of 1.38 A mg⁻¹_Pt and 3.70 mA cm⁻² (at 0.9 V versus the RHE). When applied as the cathode in a zinc–air battery, it achieves a power density of 0.31 W cm⁻² and demonstrates outstanding durability. This research introduces an innovative strategy for advancing high-quality, flexible 2D Pt-based materials.