The use of core-shell nanoparticles composed of metal core (M_c: Pd, Au, Ru, etc) and quasi-monolayer Pt shell (Pt_qms) facilitates the achievement of cost and activity targets in many important electrocatalytic energy-conversion processes such as the oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR). Here, inspired by galvanic cells, we report a generalized spontaneous strategy involving the growth of Cu on M_c ((-) bulk Cu (s)∣Cu²⁺ (c)∣monolayer Cu/M (s) (+)) and the displacement of Cu by Pt (Cu + PtCl₄^2- = Pt + Cu²⁺ + 4 Cl^-) to synthesize M_cPt_qms. Exemplified by Pd_cPt_qms, we demonstrate that this method requires no special control, electrochemical equipment and reducing/stabilizing agents, allowing for the scalable preparation of M_cPt_qms. Meanwhile, it is able to produce homogeneous Pt_qms, leading to high electrocatalytic activity for the ORR. This work revives the classical galvanic cells to pave the way for the practical application of M_cPt_qms in electrocatalytic and related fields.

 

催化剂；单原子层金属；原电池；氧还原