A Robust PtNi Nanoframe/N-Doped Graphene Aerogel Electrocatalyst with Both High Activity and Stability

Insufficient catalytic activity and stability, and high cost are the key barriers for Pt-based electrocatalysts in wide practical applications. Herein, a hierarchically porous PtNi nanoframe/N-doped graphene aerogel (PtNiNF-NGA) electrocatalyst with outstanding performance toward methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in acid electrolyte has been developed via a facile tert-butanol-assisted structure reconfiguration strategy. The ensemble of the high-alloying-degree-modulated electronic structure and correspondingly the optimum MOR reaction pathway, the structure superiorities of hierarchical porosity, thin edges, Pt-rich corners, and the anchoring effect of the NGA, endow the PtNiNF-NGA with both prominent electrocatalytic activity and stability. The mass and specific activity (1647 mA/mgPt , 3.8 mA/cm2 ) of the PtNiNF-NGA are 5.8 and 7.8 times higher than those of commercial Pt/C, respectively. Especially, it exhibits exceptional stability under a 5-hour chronoamperometry test and 2200-cycle cyclic voltammetry scanning. This work is of high inspiration for the design of Pt-based electrocatalysts with both high activity and stability.