Novel PtNi nanoflowers regulated by a third element (Rh, Ru, Pd) as efficient multifunctional electrocatalysts for ORR, MOR and HER

A series of tri-functional nanoflower (NF) catalysts with numerous nanodendrites (Pt 3 NiRh, Pt 3 NiRu, Pt 3 NiPd, Pt 3 Ni, and Pt 2 Ni 2 Rh NFs) were synthesized by introducing Rh, Ru, and Pd into Pt-Ni nanoflowers, aiming at accelerating the sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The as-prepared catalysts displayed superior anti-poisoning ability and excellent activity due to uniform morphology and good dispersibility. Their electrochemical characterization revealed that the Pt 3 NiRh NFs showed the highest mass activity (2.17 A m g P G M - 1 ) and specific activity (3.13 mA cm -2 ) toward ORR, close to 9.9 and 4.6 times higher than the values measured on Pt/C (46.7 %). As for MOR, mass and specific activities of Pt 3 NiRh NFs were 1.88 A m g P G M - 1 and 2.62 mA cm -2 , far exceeding the values on commercial Pt/C. Moreover, HER activity of Pt 3 NiRh NFs outperformed commercial Pt/C. This work is valuable to develop promising multi-functional catalysts with enhanced activity and anti-poisoning ability.