Synthesis of Gold-Platinum Nanomaterials Using Bromide Anion Exchange-Synergistic Electroactivity toward CO and Glucose Oxidation

Bromide anion exchange, a method that consists of the introduction of KBr before the reduction of precursor salts by sodium borohydride, has enabled the synthesis of AuPt nanoparticles. Physicochemical techniques have been used to analyze these carbon Vulcan-modified catalytic powders that exhibit face-centered cubic structures. The powders of the bimetallic materials were mainly composed of solid solutions. These materials were utilized in the preparation of electrocatalysts toward the oxidation of carbon monoxide and glucose. In situ reflectance infrared spectroscopy measurements demonstrated that AuPt anodes were more active than Pt in the removal of adsorbed CO at ca. 0.2 V vs. RHE and for the dehydrogenation of glucose to gluconate. (C) 2012 The Electrochemical Society