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Three-dimensional hierarchical Pt-Cu superstructures

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Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical Pt-Cu tetragonal, highly branched, and dendritic superstructures have been synthesized by a facile template-free hydrothermal approach, showing growth patterns along (111, 110), (111), and (100) planes, respectively. These structures have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and a detailed formation mechanism has been developed, which shows that the in situ formed I2 and the galvanic replacement reaction between Cu and Pt4+ may guide the formation of these superstructures. The comparative electrocatalytic properties have been investigated for methanol and ethanol oxidation. Due to their interconnected arms, sufficient absorption sites, and exposed surfaces, these superstructures exhibit enhanced electrocatalytic performance for electro-oxidation of methanol and ethanol when compared with commercial Pt/C and Pt black.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Farhat Nosheen, Zhicheng Zhang, Guolei Xiang, Biao Xu, Yong Yang, Faisal Saleem, Xiaobin Xu, Jingchao Zhang & Xun Wang

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  1. Farhat Nosheen
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  2. Zhicheng Zhang
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  3. Guolei Xiang
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  4. Biao Xu
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  5. Yong Yang
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  6. Faisal Saleem
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  7. Xiaobin Xu
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  8. Jingchao Zhang
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  9. Xun Wang
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Correspondence to Xun Wang.

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Nosheen, F., Zhang, Z., Xiang, G. et al. Three-dimensional hierarchical Pt-Cu superstructures. Nano Res. 8, 832–838 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-014-0565-1

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