A dually spontaneous reduction and assembly strategy for hybrid capsules of graphene quantum dots with platinum-copper nanoparticles for enhanced oxygen reduction reaction

The unique hybrid capsules of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with platinum (Pt)-copper (Cu) nanoparticles have been prepared by a dually spontaneous reduction and assembly process of oxidized graphene quantum dots (ox-GQDs) and Pt precursor by galvanic displacement reaction on Cu microspheres. Cu@PtCu core-shell microspheres were first prepared by reaction of Cu with platinum (IV), which subsequently induced the reduction and assembly of ox-GQDs on them at room temperature. After removal of the Cu cores, the resultant capsules of PtCu@GQDs were collected. Based on the unique hybrid structure, PtCu@GQDs capsules showed remarkably enhanced catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with a 2 times higher mass activity and a 40 mV more positive onset potential than that of commercial Pt black, indicating the promise of the newly-prepared PtCu@GQDs capsules as catalysts for fuel cell applications.