Formation of Bi-Containing sea urchin-like Pt nanoparticles induced by the addition of bismuth element and their enhanced electrocatalytic properties for methanol oxidation

A facile method to synthesize Bi-containing sea urchin-like Pt nanoparticles is demonstrated. The morphology and chemical composition of the prepared Bi-containing sea urchin-like Pt nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Electrochemical studies of the oxidation of methanol in an acidic medium using the Bicontaining sea urchin-like Pt nanoparticles were performed. The prepared nanoparticles exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation with a seven-fold higher oxidation current density and a more negative onset potential than commercial Pt/C (Pt 20%). Moreover, the current density of the Bi-containing sea urchin-like Pt nanoparticle/C catalysts was high even after 900 s of continuous electrocatalysis at 0.56 V. The synthesized Bi-containing sea urchin-like Pt nanoparticles should find attractive applications in various fields, such as fuel cells, sensors, and eletro- or organic catalysis.