Simple fabrication of core-shell AuPt@Pt nanocrystals supported on reduced graphene oxide for ethylene glycol oxidation and hydrogen evolution reactions

• Published in: Electrochimica acta 2016-11, Vol.219, p.321-329
• Main Authors: Shao, Fang-Qi, Lin, Xiao-Xiao, Feng, Jiu-Ju, Yuan, Junhua, Chen, Jian-Rong, Wang, Ai-Jun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Core-shell nanocrystals; Ethylene glycol oxidation reaction; Hydrogen evolution reaction; Reduced graphene oxide
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.09.158

[Display omitted] •AuPt@PtNCs(*)/rGO was synthesized by a one-step aqueous method.•Poly(ViEtlmBr) was served as the structure-directing agent.•The nanocomposites displayed superior catalytic performances for EGOR and HER. Herein, we reported the direct synthesis of core-shell AuPt@Pt nanocrystals supported on reduced graphene oxide (AuPt@Pt NCs/rGO) in aqueous media, with poly(1-vinyl-3-ethylimidazolium bromide) (poly(ViEtlmBr)) as a structure-directing agent, without any specific additive (e.g., seed, organic solvent or template). The as-synthesized AuPt@Pt NCs/rGO exhibited improved electrocatalytic performances towards ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) in contrast with commercial Pt/C (20%) catalyst in acidic and alkaline electrolytes. Meanwhile, the catalyst displayed enhanced catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with the positive onset potential (−25mV) and a small Tafel slope (33mVdecade−1) relative to Pt/C catalyst (−18mV, 31mVdecade−1) in 0.5M H2SO4, along with the positive onset potential (−43mV) and a small Tafel slope (73mVdecade−1) as compared with Pt/C catalyst (−42mV, 85mVdecade−1) in 0.5M KOH.