A Robust PtNi Nanoframe/N-Doped Graphene Aerogel Electrocatalyst with Both High Activity and Stability

Insufficient catalytic activity and stability and high cost are the barriers for Pt-based electrocatalysts in wide practical applications. Herein, a hierarchically porous PtNi nanoframe/N-doped graphene aerogel (PtNiNF-NGA) electrocatalyst with outstanding performance toward methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in acid electrolyte has been developed via facile tert-butanol-assisted structure reconfiguration. The ensemble of high-alloying-degree-modulated electronic
structure and correspondingly the optimum MOR reaction pathway, the structure superiorities of hierarchical porosity, thin edges, Pt-rich corners, and the anchoring effect of the NGA, endow the PtNiNF-NGA with both prominent electrocatalytic activity and stability. The mass and specific activity (1647 mAmg_Pt ^-1, 3.8 mAcm^-2) of the PtNiNF-NGA are 5.8 and 7.8 times higher than those of commercial Pt/C. It exhibits exceptional stability under a 5-hour chronoamperometry test and 2200-cycle cyclic voltammetry scanning.