Boosting the catalysis of AuCuMo for oxygen reduction: Important roles of an optimized electronic structure and surface electrochemical stability

The slow kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) remains a great challenge in many energy storage and conversion devices, such as alkaline fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Herein, a self-supported Au-based alloy (AuCuMo) was successfully synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal method . By combining Cu and Mo, the electronic structure of Au was finely tuned. Furthermore, the electrochemical stability of surface Cu was enhanced by the incorporation of Mo. Benefitting from these advantages, the reaction of oxygen and oxygenated intermediates on AuCuMo was optimized, and the intrinsic activity was improved. AuCuMo thereby exhibited superior ORR activity and stability compared to commercial Pt/C catalysts.