(272b) Novel Pt-Based Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Platinum-based catalysts are widely used in many industrial applications, including the proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. In addition to size, the shape and composition of a Pt-based nanocrystal also provide very sensitive knobs for tailoring its catalytic and electrocatalytic properties. A number of chemical routes have been developed to produce Pt-based nanocrystals with well-controlled sizes, shapes and elemental compositions to improve their performance in catalyzing various reactions, including the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this talk, I will discuss a number of new developments from my own research group with regard to the design and synthesis of Pt-based catalysts with remarkable activity and/or durability for ORR. The strategies include the deposition of Pt ultrathin shells (a few atomic layers thick) on facet-controlled Pd nanocrystals, as well as the formation of Pt-Ni alloy octahedra with controllable sizes and compositions.