Graphite-nanofiber-supported porous Pt–Ag nanosponges: Synthesis and oxygen reduction electrocatalysis

A facile synthesis method has been developed for preparing porous hexadecyltrimethylammonium-coated Pt–Ag nanosponges using ascorbic acid. As determined via electron diffraction and mapping element measurements, the nanosponges feature fcc and mixed-alloy structures. The nanosponges were successfully deposited on the sidewalls of sodium dodecyl sulfate-micelle-functionalized herringbone graphite nanofibers (Pt–Ag/GN) using an electrostatic attraction. Further, as supported by in situ analyses, the mass activity and electrochemical kinetics of the Pt–Ag/GN nanocomposite toward the electrocatalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were studied. The results demonstrate that the mass activity of Pt–Ag/GN is 5.59 × 10−3 mA μgpt−1 and greater than 3.91 × 10−3 mA μgpt−1, the commercial Pt/C (at −0.15 V vs. Ag/AgCl). The numbers of ORR transfer electrons on the new composites reached 3.44 (at −0.15 V vs. Ag/AgCl), which shows that the ORR occurred quickly.

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► Porous CTA+-coated Pt–Ag nanosponges has been prepared by using ascorbic acid.
► The nanosponges feature fcc and mixed-alloy structures.
► The nanosponges were deposited on graphite nanofibers using an electrostatic attraction.
► The mass activity of Pt–Ag/GN is 1.42 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C.
► The numbers of ORR transfer electrons on the new composites reached 3.44.