Ultrafast synthesis of efficient TS-PtCoCu/CNTs composite with high feed-to-product conversion rate by Joule heating for electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol

A series of PtCoCu ternary nanoalloys decorated carbon nanotube composites (TS-PtCoCu/CNTs) were synthesized by a facile ultrafast thermal shock strategy via Joule heating. The synthesized TS-PtCoCu/CNTs achieved superb catalytic activity toward EOR. An underlying EOR catalytic mechanism of PtCoCu/CNTs was put forward as follows: (i) The small and good dispersed ternary Pt-Co-Cu nanoparticles, the CNT supports and the lattice defects/atomic steps synergistically contribute to the superior catalytic activity and stability. (ii) The incorporation of Co-Cu results in the downshifted d-band center of Pt and enhanced anti-poisoning ability toward CO. (iii) The Co-Cu atoms efficiently assist the adsorption of OH, leading to the preferable C1 reaction path.