Homogeneously supported PtGa NPs on nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon as an enhanced ORR electro-catalyst

Abstract Platinum (Pt) nanoparticle catalysts show excellent performance for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), but the high cost of Pt directly limits the commercialization of Pt-based catalysts. Supported PtGa alloy nanoparticles (NPs) with modified surface property and reactivity through ligand, strain and/or ensemble effects are considered as promising inexpensive low-Pt candidates. In this article, we report a PtGa nanoparticles with a size of 3.8 ± 0.4 nm anchored on nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon (PtGa@NMC) for an efficient ORR electrocatalyst in alkaline electrolytes. The half-wave potential (E1/2) values of PtGa@NMC (0.92 V vs RHE) positively shift ∼30 mV compared to commercial Pt/C in 1 M KOH solution. And it has outstanding long-term durability by the result of accelerated durability tests (ADTs) and chronoamperometry (CA). Considering high performance and excellent stability, PtGa@NMC presents the possibility of replacing contemporary Pt-based catalysts.