The study of platinum-tellurium intermetallic nanoparticles for formic acid electro-oxidation

Intermetallic nanoparticles are one of promising electrocatalysts in fuel cells for controllable component and structure. Herein we discussed the optimal annealing temperature for synthesis of platinum-tellurium catalysts with combination of dealloying process. Compared with previous work about PtTe intermetallic nanoparticles, as-prepared dealloyed nanoparticles showed superior performance by tuning formic acid oxidation to occur through dehydrogenation pathway after electrochemical dealloying process. The dealloyed platinum-tellurium nanoparticles annealed at 700 °C possessed best acidic tolerance with only 19% decline of mass activities after 1000 cycles potential cycling in 0.5 M H2SO4. The meliorative durability was ascribed with well-structured Pt-Te nanoparticles and Pt-increase skin generated from dealloying process.