Composition-tunable synthesis of Pt-Cu octahedral alloy nanocrystals from PtCu to PtCu3 via underpotential-deposition-like process and their electro-catalytic properties

Abstract

Bimetallic alloy nanocrystals (NCs) have received great attention because their physical and chemical properties greatly depend on their composition and structure. However, simultaneous control of the composition and surface structure (or morphology) of metal alloy NCs is challenging due to differences in standard redox potential (SRP). According to our previous research, well-shaped and composition-tunable Pt-Cu alloy NCs can be controlled in mild reduction conditions. However, the content of Cu in the as-prepared Pt-Cu alloy NCs cannot exceed 50% using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as the weak reductant. In this paper, we reported a successful synthesis of the octahedral Pt-Cu bimetallic all..