Monodisperse Pt3Fe Nanocubes: Synthesis, Characterization, Self-Assembly, and Electrocatalytic Activity

• Published in: Advanced functional materials 2010-11, Vol.20 (21), p.3727-3733
• Main Authors: Zhang, Jun, Yang, Hongzhou, Yang, Kaikun, Fang, Jiye, Zou, Shouzhong, Luo, Zhiping, Wang, Howard, Bae, In-Tae, Jung, Dae Young
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: electro-oxidation; fuel cells; nanomaterials; Pt3Fe alloys; self-assembly; tungsten hexacarbonyl
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201000679

A facile, reliable, and robust synthetic method to prepare high‐quality Pt3Fe nanocubes is reported. Results of investigation on these Pt3Fe nanocubes in shape‐/size‐distribution, crystallinity, structural characteristics, compositions, electrochemical activity towards small organic molecule oxidation as well as capability of assembling into simple cubic supercrystals are presented, and a possible formation mechanism of the cubic nanocrystals at high temperature in oleylamine/oleic acid solution is also proposed. This study indicates that the catalyst performance may be improved by controlling the shape of particles. High‐quality Pt3Fe nanocubes are prepared using a robust wet‐chemical synthetic approach in which W(CO)6 was present. Structural characteristics, size‐/shape‐distribution, compositions, electrochemical activity towards small organic molecule oxidation as well as capability of assembling into simple cubic supercrystals of these Pt3Fe nanocubes are discussed. This study highlights that the catalyst performance may be improved by controlling the shape of particles.