Thermally Robust Porous Bimetallic (NixPt1-x) Alloy Mesocrystals within Carbon Framework: High-Performance Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction and Hydrogenation Reactions

Thermally stable porous bimetallic (NixPt1–x) alloy mesocrystals within a carbon framework are produced via an aerosol-assisted process for high-performance catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hydrogenation. The porous NixPt1–x alloy has a robust composite of alloy nanoparticles with an adjustable composition and a porous carbon skeleton. Porous NixPt1–x alloys exhibit high thermal stability, retaining their crystalline structure and morphology at 550 °C for 6 h, as observed in thermal treatment tests under various conditions (time, temperature, and atmosphere). The porous NixPt1–x alloy as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of propylene has high conversion efficiency (>80%) and low activation energy (Ea < 20 kJ/mol) at ≥80 °C through the suitable control of the element composition and a pore structure. As a catalyst for the ORR, the catalytic activity of the porous NixPt1–x alloy is superior to that of conventional Pt/C (0.115 mA) (0.853 mA/cmPt2 at 0.9 V/cmPt2). This is attributed to the...