Ion-exchange-assisted synthesis of Pt-VC nanoparticles loaded on graphitized carbon: a high-performance nanocomposite electrocatalyst for oxygen-reduction reactions.
Carbide-based electrocatalysts are superior to traditional carbon-based electrocatalysts, such as the commercial Pt/C electrocatalysts, in terms of their mass activity and stability. Herein, we report a general approach for the preparation of a nanocomposite electrocatalyst of platinum and vanadium carbide nanoparticles that are loaded onto graphitized carbon. The nanocomposite, which was prepared in a localized and controlled fashion by using an ion-exchange process, was an effective electrocatalyst for the oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR). Both the stability and the durability of the Pt-VC/GC nanocomposite catalyst could be enhanced compared with the state-of-the-art Pt/C. This approach can be extended to the synthesis of other metal-carbide-based nanocatalysts. Moreover, this straightforward synthesis of high-performance composite nanocatalysts can be scaled up to meet the requirements for mass production.
State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, School of Physics and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingang Road, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.
Guoqiang
G
He
Zaoxue
Z
Yan
Mei
M
Cai
Pei Kang
PK
Shen
Min-Rui
MR
Gao
Hong-Bin
HB
Yao
Shu-Hong
SH
Yu