Pt–Ni Nanoparticle-Stacking Thin Film: Highly Active Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

A novel nanoparticle-stacking thin film (NPSTF) of Pt–Ni alloy for highly active oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalyst was synthesized. The Pt mass activity of the synthesized Pt–Ni NPSTF were 10-fold higher than commercial carbon-supported Pt catalysts. The remarkable ORR activity enhancement of the Pt–Ni NPSTF was attributed to the modified electronic properties of the surface Pt-enriched layers induced by underlying Ni atoms and to the increased active surface area achieved by stacking of Pt–Ni nanoparticles.