Solvent assistance induced surface N-modification of PtCu aerogels and their enhanced electrocatalytic properties

A facile method involving the nitrogen modification of PtCu aerogel surfaces with N -methyl pyrrolidone as the sole nitrogen source is reported. The half wave potential ( E 1/2 ) of the PtCu aerogels was 0.932 V and the electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) was 102.04 m 2 g −1 for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and the mass activity (MA) for the methanol electrooxidation reaction (MOR) was measured to be 4.08 A mg −1 , values better than those of a commercial Pt/C catalyst and other reported Pt-based catalysts. A PtCu aerogel with large electrochemical active areas and high structure stability was developed. It shows exceptional electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and methanol electrooxidation (MOR).