Bulk metallic glass nanowire architecture for electrochemical applications

Marcelo Carmo, Ryan C. Sekol, Shiyan Ding, Golden Kumar, Jan Schroers, André D. Taylor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Electrochemical devices have the potential to pose powerful solutions in addressing rising energy demands and counteracting environmental problems. However, currently, these devices suffer from meager performance due to poor efficiency and durability of the catalysts. These suboptimal characteristics have hampered widespread commercialization. Here we report on Pt 57.5Cu14.7Ni5.3P22.5 bulk metallic glass (Pt-BMG) nanowires, whose novel architecture and outstanding durability circumvent the performance problems of electrochemical devices. We fabricate Pt-BMG nanowires using a facile and scalable nanoimprinting approach to create dealloyed high surface area nanowire catalysts with high conductivity and activity for methanol and ethanol oxidation. After 1000 cycles, these nanowires maintain 96% of their performance-2.4 times as much as conventional Pt/C catalysts. Their properties make them ideal candidates for widespread commercial use such as for energy conversion/storage and sensors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2979-2983
Number of pages5
JournalACS nano
Volume5
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 26 2011

Keywords

  • DAFC
  • PEMFC
  • bulk metallic glasses
  • electrocatalysts
  • fuel cells
  • nanowires

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • General Engineering
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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