Electrodeposited PtNi nanoparticles towards oxygen reduction reaction: A study on nucleation and growth mechanism

In this work, highly monodispersed Pt-Ni alloy nanoparticles were directly deposited on carbon substrate through a facile electrodeposition strategy in the solvent system of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). A series supported electrocatalysts synthesized under different applied electrode potentials. Among all as-obtained samples, Pt-Ni/C electrocatalyst at –1.73 V exhibits optimal specific activity up to 1.850 mA cm−2 0.9 vs. RHE, which is 6.85 times higher than that commercial Pt/C. Comprehensive physiochemical characterizations and computational evaluations via density functional theory conducted unveil nucleation growth mechanism PtNi formation. Compared aqueous solution, DMF molecule must not be neglected avoiding particle agglomeration synthesis nanoparticles. During co-deposition process, Ni sites produced reduction Ni(II) precursor only facilitates crystal but also favor further Pt Ni-inserted surface. As for deposition potential, it adjusts final size. This work provides hopeful extended Pt-based catalyst layer production proton exchange membrane fuel cells new idea exploration electrodeposited alloy.