Effective PtAu nanowire network catalysts with ultralow Pt content for formic acid oxidation and methanol oxidation.

Pt is the ideal anode catalyst in fuel cells. In this paper, in order to increase the utilization of Pt, the PtAu nanowire networks (NWNs) with ultralow content of Pt are fabricated by a simple silicon monoxide (SiO) reduction method without any capping agent. PtAu NWNs supported on carbon black with Pt content of 1 wt% (Pt 0. 05 Au NWNs) are employed as catalysts for formic acid oxidation (FAO) and methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), whose mass activities are as high as 4998.9 and 2282.3 mA∙mg Pt −1, respectively. The network structure facilitates the electron transfer and increases the stability of the catalysts. The PtAu composite experiences compressive lattice strain as confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The Pt 0. 05 Au NWNs catalyst with low Pt content results in the largest strain variation compared with PtAu composited of other ratios, which may downshift the d-band center of Pt and lead to the higher electrocatalytic activity in oxidation reaction. • PtAu nanowire networks are fabricated by a simple Si–H bond reduction method. • The network structure facilitates the electron transfer and increases the stability. • Pt 0. 05 Au/C with Pt content of 1 wt% shows high mass activities to FAO and MOR. • The lattice strain of PtAu is formed during the fabrication process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]