Carbon-Supported Pt Hollow Nanospheres as a Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

In this study, carbon black Vulcan XC-72R (VC)-supported Pt hollow nanospheres (HNSs) were prepared through a simple synthesis strategy using VC-supported Co nanoparticles (NPs) as the template combined with the replacement of Co by PtCl62- ions. The new modified synthesis method results in improved Pt distribution and performance compared to the previously reported conventional synthesis method. The as-developed Pt(20 wt%)HNS/VC catalyst has a homogenous Pt HNS particle size of ca. 18 nm and a uniform particle distribution on the VC support. Furthermore, the Pt HNSs are found to be composed of discrete Pt NPs with a crystallite size of ca. 2-3 nm. Due to the unique nanostructure and alloying with Co of the Pt HNS, the Pt(20 wt%)HNS/VC outperforms significantly a state-of-the-art Pt(20 wt%)NP/VC for the oxygen reduction reaction.