Surface engineering of Pt aerogels by metal phthalocyanine to enhance the electrocatalytic property for oxygen reduction reaction

Noble metal aerogels (NMAs) have been widely investigated as electrocatalysts for sustainable energy conversion, while enhancing the catalytic activity and stability of NMAs is conducive to reduce cost and expand their application. Herein, modifying Pt aerogel by metal phthalocyanine (MPc) molecules (Pt aer-MPc) was proposed to improve the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance. Typically, the Pt aer-FePc showed significant improvement in half-wave potential, mass, and specific activity compared to commercial Pt/C. Theoretical calculations revealed that the synergy between FePc molecules and Pt aerogel constructs a new interface to facilitate the reduction of oxygen and weaken the bind energies of oxygen intermediates, thus leading to improved ORR performance. Similar promotion in ORR catalytic property was also observed for Pt nanoparticles and commercial Pt/C with the modification of FePc. Therefore, this work not only provides a universal engineering method of MPc decoration to enhance ORR performance of Pt-based electrocatalysts, but also opens a new pathway for designing advanced ORR electrocatalysts with functional molecules toward critical energy-related applications.