Heterogeneous Pt-Bi hybrid nanoparticle decorated self-standing hollow TiN nanowire as an efficient catalyst for glycerol electrooxidation

The electrochemical oxidation of glycerol is considered as a promising route to generate high value-added products. Rationally tuning the electronic structure of Pt catalysts by supporter and modifier is desirable for promoting the activity and stability of glycerol electrooxidation reaction (GEOR). In this work, we report Pt–Bi hybrid nanoparticles anchored hollow titanium nitride nanowires grew on carbon cloth (Pt1-x-Bix/TiN HNWs/CC (0≤ x ≤ 1)) as a self-supported monolithic electrode for efficient GEOR. Contributed by 3D porous nanotube structure, high corrosion resistance and conductivity of TiN, and strong electronic coupling effect of Pt, Bi, and TiN, the optimized Pt0.95-Bi0.05/TiN HNWs/CC electrode exhibits good catalytic activity and stability for GEOR. It shows a high peak current density of 88.4 mA cm−2 or 306.7 mA mgPt−1 in 0.05 M glycerol +1.0 M KOH solution. After continuous electrolysis for 8 h in 0.05 M glycerol +1.0 M KOH solution at a constant potential of 0.85 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (vs. RHE), a high glycerol conversion of 87.0%, a moderate selectivity of 36.6% for glyceric acid, and a good stability were achieved, which is superior to other compared electrodes and most of the reported Pt–Bi catalysts. [Display omitted] •A novel self-supported monolithic electrode of Pt1-x-Bix/TiN HNWs/CC is fabricated.•The hollow and porous structure endows electrode with more accessible active sites.•The Pt0.95-Bi0.05/TiN HNWs/CC electrode exhibits a good GEOR activity and stability.•The electronic interaction of Pt, Bi, and TiN results in a superior GEOR performance.