High activity of PtBi intermetallics supported on mesoporous carbon towards HCOOH electro-oxidation

Well-dispersed PtBi intermetallics supported on the modified mesoporous carbon-46 (PtBi/MPC) has been synthesized by using hydrogen gas to reduce the platinum and bismuth precursors. The results of TEM, XRD, EDX, and XPS exhibited that PtBi nanoparticles are intermetallics. Electrochemical characterization revealed that PtBi/MPC showed extremely high mass activities and stability towards oxidizing of formic acid. These high performances may attribute to synergistic effects of electron and geometry effects of these intermetallics and the specific properties of MPC. With the reported promotional effect of Bi, such Pt-based intermetallics supported on MPC is a promising anode catalyst for direct formic acid fuel cells.

► The impregnation method combining melt-diffusion strategy promotes the PtBi intermetallics well dispersed in the MPC.
► Small mesopores and mesochannels limit the growth and aggregation of nanoparticles.
► MPC as individual nanoscale reactors overcomes nanoparticles sintering through Ostwald ripening process.
► The structure of MPC leads to both reactive species more accessible and PtBi intermetallics with long-term stability.
► The catalysts preparation process is simple, effective and promotional to be industrialized.