Synthesis of hierarchical platinum-palladium-copper nanodendrites for efficient methanol oxidation

Tuning the architecture and composition of platinum (Pt)-based nanostructures for enhancing the electrocatalytic activity and stability towards methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) is pivotal for the commercialization of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), but still remains great challenge. Here, hierarchical platinum-palladium-copper (PtPdCu) nanodendrites (NDs) with tip-cracked defects have been developed with tailored morphology and dopants. We firstly electrodeposited PtPdCu nanowires (NWs) inside the channels of aluminum anodic oxide (AAO) template, and then wet-chemically transformed the as-synthesized NWs into NDs. Benefiting from the synergetic effect between the tip-cracked defects and dopants, firstly, the MOR mass activity and specific activity of PtPdCu NDs are ∼1.78 times and ∼2.14 times higher than those of commercial Pt/C, respectively; secondly, after 2000 s stability test, the electrocatalytic activity of PtPdCu NDs is ∼5.02 times higher than commercial Pt/C; finally, the PtPdCu NDs also show better CO tolerance as well. Our PtPdCu NDs are promising anode electrocatalysts in next-generation DMFCs.