PtAg nanotubes for electrooxidation of ethylene glycol and glycerol in alkaline media

• PtAg nanotubes (PtAgNTs) were prepared via a simple galvanic exchange method.
• The PtAgNTs showed high activity for EG and Gly oxidation in alkaline media.
• The activity enhancement arose from the structural and electronic effects.

We report the electrocatalytic oxidation of ethylene glycol and glycerol in alkaline media over PtAg nanotubes (PtAgNTs), which were prepared through the partial galvanic exchange of Pt on Ag nanowires. The PtAgNTs demonstrated substantially enhanced electrocatalytic performance compared with Pt nanotubes and commercial Pt black and Pt/C catalysts as evidenced by their higher peak current densities, lower onset potentials and better anti-poisoning properties, which originated from the tailored geometric and electronic structures of the PtAgNTs.

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