Hydrogen bubbles template-directed synthesis of self-supported AuPt nanowire networks for improved ethanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions

• AuPt NWNs are facilely prepared with tunable compositions.
• In-situ formed hydrogen bubbles are used as a dynamic template.
• The wet-chemical method is simple, rapid, convenient, mild and green.
• The strategy is exempt from pressuring, heating, and special apparatus.
• AuPt NWNs show improved catalytic activity and stability for EOR and ORR.

Herein, we present an ultra-simple one-pot wet-chemistry method for large-scaled synthesis of surface-clean and self-supported bimetallic AuPt nanowire networks (AuPt NWNs) with tunable compositions by using hydrogen bubble as a dynamic template. Hydrogen bubbles are in situ generated from the hydrolysis and oxidation of sodium borohydride which are rapid pouring into the metal precursor solutions. The strategy is very convenient, mild and green, exempted from pressuring, heating, and special apparatus. The resulting AuPt NWNs have clean surfaces, because the gas bubbles do not need to use additional acid/base or organic solvent to remove. Moreover, the as-prepared AuPt NWNs display excellent electrocatalytic activity and durability toward ethanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions.

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