Ultra-clean PtPd nanoflowers loaded on GO supports with enhanced low-temperature electrocatalytic activity for fuel cells in harsh environment

Abstract How the fuel cells could be performed in a cold climate is an enormous challenge for widespread applications, which is highly related to the construction of efficient low-temperature electrocatalysts with stabilizer/surfactant-free clean surface. Herein, ultra-clean and monodisperse PtPd nanoflowers (NFs) deposited on graphene oxide (GO) were successfully synthesized via a modified in-situ overgrowth strategy by adding ethanol as an efficient booster in the redox reaction between GO and metallic precursors. As for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), the resulting GO/PtPd NFs provide much higher electrocatalytic performances (mass and specific activity as well as long-term durability) than the loading of monometallic Pt or Pd nanoparticles on the GO support. Especially, compared to MOR test at room temperature (25 ℃), 70% electrocatalytic activity of GO/PtPd NFs can be maintained even under low temperature (5 ℃) condition, while that of commercial Pt/C catalysts is merely about 57%. The unique product with enhanced low-temperature electrocatalytic activity holds great potential for promoting the utilization of fuel cells in grimly cold weather condition.