Ionic liquid crystal-assisted synthesis of PtAg nanoflowers on reduced graphene oxide and their enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract A simple and facile one-pot solvothermal method is developed for preparation of flower-like PtAg alloys uniformly supported on reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (flower-like PtAg/RGOs). Ionic liquid crystal (1-hexadecyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium bromide, [C 16 MMIm]Br) is used as a capping agent and a structure directing agent. The as-prepared nanocomposites show the larger electrochemically active surface area, better catalytic activity, higher methanol tolerant activity, and longer-term durability for oxygen reduction reaction, compared with commercial Pt black, Pt-C (10 wt %), and RGOs catalysts.