Hierarchical Pt-based Metals (HPMs): Hierarchies Controlling, Stability Enhancing and ORR-Performance Promoting

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Hierarchical structured Pt-based nanocatalysts are a hot research topic, especially their application in PEM fuel cell as the only industrial choice for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The rational design of multiple-structure and multiple-function, underpinned by knowledge of fundamental structure-function relations, has the potential to deliver next-generation industrial ORR catalysts with enhanced performance and high atom-utilization-efficiency for covering the high-cost problem. Hierarchical self-assembly provides a simple and low-cost method for scale-up preparation of ensembles of various nanometal with hierarchical micro/nano structure. As a challenge, enhancement of the interface interaction of nanounits is considered as the key factor for the practical application of self-assembly materials. The targets of our project are as the following: Firstly, new hierarchical assembly will be developed for the preparation of hierarchically porous structured Pt-based metals at the nanoscale and microscale. Next, the exploration of the mechanism of new hierarchical assembly methods, interface stability, and ORR-catalysis will be addressed for a knowledge-based synthesis and application of hierarchical structured architectures. The investigation of stability is required for further improvement of ORR activity and durability of hierarchical metal-based catalyst. Finally, an exploration of the structure-function relation is essential, in order to improve the synthesis and to apply the mechanism for novel hierarchical structured architectures. The integration of advanced nanometals by the German side and hierarchical structures by the Chinese side would be a solid basis for success in hierarchical metal catalysts. Following the research route of synthesis-mechanism-application, two aspects of the project will be carried out as follows: 1) Hierarchical Pt nanometals at nanoscale and ORR performance promotion (task of German side); 2) Hierarchical Pt-based nanometals at nano/microscale and ORR performance promotion (task of Chinese side). The project aims at the further development of new chemical methods to control nano/micro-structures and well-defined morphologies of hierarchically assembled Pt-based nanometals and their applications in ORR electrocatalysis. The originality and novelty of this project involve new hierarchical assembly approaches to hierarchies controlling, stability enhancing and ORR-performance promoting.