Template-free synthesis of platinum hollow-opened structures in deep-eutectic solvents and their enhanced performance for methanol electrooxidation

Abstract As a novel non-aqueous green solvent that can deem to be the optimal substitution of conventional solvents and ionic liquids, deep-eutectic solvents (DESs) have attracted significant attention from academia and industry in terms of chemical synthesis in recent years. Herein, we report the highly effective preparation of Pt nanoparticles with hollow-opened structures (Pt HOSs) as an efficient electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) via a facile template-free solvothermal synthesis in DESs. The as-obtained Pt HOSs are consisted of well assembled secondary and tertiary branches, which can remarkably improve the utilization efficiency and electrocatalytic activity of Pt via promoting the access of electroactive species to the full-extent Pt surface. In this regard, the as-prepared Pt HOSs possess higher electrochemically active surface areas (ECSAs) and show improved electrochemical properties for MOR. Furthermore, the Pt HOSs retain a higher reactivity after the long-term testing compared with commercial Pt black, suggesting that they have enhanced electrocatalytic durability. In specific, the rational design of Pt HOSs in DESs may enrich the synthetic strategies for producing more electrocatalysts with impressive activity and stability.