Defect-rich PtPdCu flower-like nanoframes with enhanced electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation

Nanoframe structures with rich defects are desirable in the field of catalysis, whereas the precise synthesis of them remains challenging. In this study, the defect-rich PtPdCu flower-like nanoframes have been successfully synthesized by oxidative etching of pre-prepared PdCu@Pt core-shell nanoflowers. According to the experiment results, the formation of PdCu@Pt core-shell nanoflowers plays a decisive role in synthesizing PtPdCu flower-like nanoframes. Due to its novel structures with rich defects and the synergistic effect between Pd, Cu and Pt, PtPdCu flower-like nanoframes exhibit enhanced catalytic activity. In special, the mass activity of PtPdCu flower-like nanoframes is 2.0 and 7.0 times as large as that of PdCu@Pt core-shell nanoflowers and Pt black for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in acidic medium, respectively. Furthermore, PtPdCu flower-like nanoframes present exceptionally stability even after the long-term accelerating test.