Ultrafine nanowires as highly efficient electrocatalysts
A manufacturing method includes: (1) providing M-M′ nanowires, wherein M′ is at least one sacrificial metal different from M; and (2) subjecting the M-M′ nanowires to electrochemical de-alloying to form jagged M nanowires.
1. A catalyst material comprising:
a catalyst support; and
jagged Pt nanowires affixed to the catalyst support.
2. The catalyst material of claim 1 , wherein the jagged Pt nanowires have an average diameter in a range of up to 5 nm.
3. The catalyst material of claim 1 , wherein the jagged Pt nanowires have an electrochemical active surface area of at least 80 m 2 /g Pt .
4. The catalyst material of claim 1 , wherein the jagged Pt nanowires have a mass activity for oxygen reduction reaction at 0.9 V vs. RHE of at least 8 A/mg Pt .
5. The catalyst material of claim 1 , wherein the jagged Pt nanowires are produced by a process comprising:
providing Pt-M′ nanowires, wherein M′ is at least one sacrificial metal different from Pt; and
subjecting the Pt-M′ nanowires to electrochemical de-alloying to form jagged Pt nanowires.
6. The catalyst material of claim 1 , wherein the jagged Pt nanowires comprise a jagged surface containing defective sites.
7. The catalyst material of claim 1 , wherein the jagged Pt nanowires comprise a jagged surface containing a plurality of atomic steps.
8. The catalyst material of claim 1 , wherein the jagged Pt nanowires have an average diameter in a range of up to 10 nm.
9. The catalyst material of claim 1 , wherein the jagged Pt nanowires have an electrochemical active surface area of at least 110 m 2 /g Pt .