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Title: Oxygen Reduction on Well-Defined Core-Shell Nanocatalysts: Particle Size, Facet, and Pt Shell Thickness Effects

Journal Article · · Journal of the American Chemical Society
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja9067645· OSTI ID:1004137

We examined the effects of the thickness of the Pt shell, lattice mismatch, and particle size on specific and mass activities from the changes in effective surface area and activity for oxygen reduction induced by stepwise Pt-monolayer depositions on Pd and Pd{sub 3}Co nanoparticles. The core?shell structure was characterized at the atomic level using Z-contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with element-sensitive electron energy loss spectroscopy. The enhancements in specific activity are largely attributed to the compressive strain effect based on the density functional theory calculations using a nanoparticle model, revealing the effect of nanosize-induced surface contraction on facet-dependent oxygen binding energy. The results suggest that moderately compressed (111) facets are most conducive to oxygen reduction reaction on small nanoparticles and indicate the importance of concerted structure and component optimization for enhancing core?shell nanocatalysts activity and durability.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE - Office Of Science
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC02-98CH10886
OSTI ID:
1004137
Report Number(s):
BNL-91028-2010-JA; ISSN 1520-5126; JACSAT; R&D Project: MA-510-MAEA; KC0302010; TRN: US201103%%363
Journal Information:
Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 131, Issue 47; ISSN 0002-7863
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English