Hollow PtPd Nanorods with Mesoporous Shells as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Methanol-Oxidation Reaction

Tailoring the morphology and composition of platinum-based electrocatalysts is of significant importance for the development of highly efficient direct methanol fuel cells. Herein, we report a dual-templating method for the design of hollow PtPd nanorods with mesoporous shells (mPtPd HNRs). We found that F127 micelles favored the formation of mesoporous structures and that SiO₂ nanorods served as a hard template for the creation of cavities. The well-developed mesopores, hollow structures, and bimetallic composition of the mPtPd HNRs afforded a sufficient number of active sites to facilitate the electrochemical oxidation of methanol, thereby leading to enhanced activity and stability. This strategy allowed for the reliable preparation of mesoporous hollow platinum-based electrocatalysts with desired compositions and morphologies for catalytic applications.