Facile construction of mesoporous carbon enclosed with NiCoPx nanoparticles for desirable Pt-based catalyst support in methanol oxidation

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2021-01, Vol.481, p.228888, Article 228888
• Main Authors: Ding, Junjie, Hu, Weiling, Ma, Li, Gan, Mengyu, Xie, Fei, Zhan, Wang, Lu, Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bimetallic phosphide; Encapsulation structure; Mesoporous carbon; Methanol oxidation; Synergistic effect
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2020.228888

Herein, through a simple and environmentally benign mechanical lapping, synchronous phosphorization pyrolysis and NaBH4 reduction procedure, we have successfully constructed a novel nanoarchitecture, which confines bimetallic phosphides (NiCoPx) within mesoporous carbon as Pt support for the first time (Pt/NiCoPx@NCNT-NG). Unlike conventional naked transition metal phosphides/carbon hybrids supports, the NiCoPx is encapsulated by graphene shells, in spite of without immediate contact, the electron interactions between NiCoPx and Pt outperform its monometallic phosphide counterparts. Benefiting from the synergistic effect between Pt, NiCoPx and mesoporous carbon, the Pt/NiCoPx@NCNT-NG reveals increased active sites and enhanced intrinsic activity of per active site, resulting in better catalytic activity and stability for methanol oxidation reaction. What's more, owing to the protection of the encapsulation carbon layer, the co-catalytic effect of NiCoPx can be well maintained after a long-time exposure. The present work provides a simple avenue to combine transition metal phosphides with mesoporous carbon and sheds new light into the development direction of transition metal phosphides for electrocatalysis. [Display omitted] •A mesoporous carbon combined with bimetallic phosphides (NiCoPx) is fabricated.•The fabrication procedure is extremely simple and environmentally benign.•The NiCoPx is enclosed by graphene shells, maintaining its long-run promoting effect.•The synergistic effect lead to increased active sites and enhanced intrinsic activity.•Excellent activity and long-term stability for MOR in acid medium.