Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst, including: one or more substantially monodisperse nanocrystals, wherein the one or more substantially monodisperse nanocrystals include an octahedral morphology or nanocrystal geometry including eight exclusively exposed {101} facets. In embodiments, a cathode including the fuel cell catalyst is also provided, including methods of making the fuel cell catalyst.

Abstract: A method of forming metallic particles, comprising: providing precursor particles comprising a transition metal alloy; supplying carbon monoxide (CO) under reaction conditions which differentially remove a first alloy metal from the precursor particles at a faster rate than a second alloy metal; and, maintaining the reaction conditions until the precursor particles are converted to the particles. The precursor particles may comprise PtNi4, and the particles may be Pt3Ni, formed as hollow nanoframes on a carbon support.

Abstract: A method of forming metallic particles, comprising: providing precursor particles comprising a transition metal alloy; supplying carbon monoxide (CO) under reaction conditions which differentially remove a first alloy metal from the precursor particles at a faster rate than a second alloy metal; and, maintaining the reaction conditions until the precursor particles are converted to the particles. The precursor particles may comprise PtNi4, and the particles may be Pt3Ni, formed as hollow nanoframes on a carbon support.

Abstract: A method of forming metallic particles, comprising: providing precursor particles comprising a transition metal alloy; supplying carbon monoxide (CO) under reaction conditions which differentially remove a first alloy metal from the precursor particles at a faster rate than a second alloy metal; and, maintaining the reaction conditions until the precursor particles are converted to the particles. The precursor particles may comprise PtNi4, and the particles may be Pt3Ni, formed as hollow nanoframes on a carbon support.

Abstract: A method of forming metallic particles, comprising: providing precursor particles comprising a transition metal alloy; supplying carbon monoxide (CO) under reaction conditions which differentially remove a first alloy metal from the precursor particles at a faster rate than a second alloy metal; and, maintaining the reaction conditions until the precursor particles are converted to the particles. The precursor particles may comprise PtNi4, and the particles may be Pt3Ni, formed as hollow nanoframes on a carbon support.

Abstract: Platinum (Pt)-based alloys are effective catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) or fuel oxidation in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). A wet-chemical approach for preparing monodisperse Pt3Ni, Pt3Co and Pt3Fe nanocubes and Pt3Ni nanoctahedra which are terminated with {100} and {111} facets, respectively, were developed. Such nanoscaled electrocatalysts supported on carbon black with controlled shape, e.g., octahedral configuration, is provided. ORR activity on the Pt3Ni nanoctahedra is ˜5.1 fold higher than that of nanocubes with a similar size, and their C-supported samples are highly active with respect to commercial Pt/C.

Abstract: High-quality bimetallic PtxCu100-x (x=54-80 at. %) nanocubes can be prepared from a hot organic solution. Synthetic conditions, such as the ratio of oleylamine/tetraoctylammonium bromide as well as the doses of 1-dodecanethiol and 1,2-tetradecanediol have been optimized to ensure a formation of Pt—Cu nanocubes. Electrochemical evaluation shows that the catalytic activity of Pt60Cu40 nanocubes for methanol oxidation is superior, in comparison with those of spherical Pt60Cu40 nanocubes and Pt nanocubes with similar sizes, implying that the {100}-terminated Pt60Cu40 nanocubes offer a higher activity for methanol oxidation reaction than those with mixed crystallographic facets do.

Abstract: Platinum (Pt)-based alloys are effective catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) or fuel oxidation in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). A wet-chemical approach for preparing monodisperse Pt3Ni, Pt3Co and Pt3Fe nanocubes and Pt3Ni nanoctahedra which are terminated with {100} and {111} facets, respectively, were developed. Such nanoscaled electrocatalysts supported on carbon black with controlled shape, e.g., octahedral configuration, is provided. ORR activity on the Pt3Ni nanoctahedra is ˜5.1 fold higher than that of nanocubes with a similar size, and their C-supported samples are highly active with respect to commercial Pt/C.

Abstract: High-quality bimetallic PtxCu100-x (x=54-80 at. %) nanocubes can be prepared from a hot organic solution. Synthetic conditions, such as the ratio of oleylamine/tetraoctylammonium bromide as well as the doses of 1-dodecanethiol and 1,2-tetradecanediol have been optimized to ensure a formation of Pt—Cu nanocubes. Electrochemical evaluation shows that the catalytic activity of Pt60Cu40 nanocubes for methanol oxidation is superior, in comparison with those of spherical Pt60Cu40 nanocubes and Pt nanocubes with similar sizes, implying that the {100}-terminated Pt60Cu40 nanocubes offer a higher activity for methanol oxidation reaction than those with mixed crystallographic facets do.