Oleylamine Aging of PtNi Nanoparticles Giving Enhanced Functionality for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

We report a rapid solution-phase strategy to synthesize alloyed PtNi nanoparticles which demonstrate outstanding functionality for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This one-pot coreduction colloidal synthesis results in monodisperse population of single-crystal rhombic dodecahedral morphology with Pt-enriched edges and compositions close Pt1Ni2. use nanoscale 3D compositional analysis reveal first time that oleylamine (OAm)-aging Pt1Ni2 particles Ni leaching from surface facets, producing aged concave faceting, an exceptionally high area, composition Pt2Ni1. show modified atomic nanostructures catalytically outperform original by more than two-fold also yield improved cycling durability. Their ORR far exceeds commercially available Pt/C nanoparticle electrocatalysts, both terms mass-specific activities (up 25-fold increase) intrinsic area-specific 27-fold increase).