One-pot synthesis of supported PtCox bifunctional catalysts for oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions

Hydrogen fuel cells and water electrolyzers hold significant potential for net zero emission and climate change mitigation, but their practical applications are limited by the use of the precious-metal platinum as catalysts. In this study, a one-pot method is developed for the synthesis of PtCo x alloys supported on hybrid carbon materials, and it is found that the developed catalysts with reduced Pt loading can act as excellent bifunctional catalysts for both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Morphology and composition characterizations indicate uniform dispersion and adjustable composition of PtCo x alloys with the particle size of ∼3 nm on the carbon support. Among them, Pt 3 Co/C achieves the highest ORR performance with a high mass activity of 179.23 A/g and a specific activity of 3.15 A/m 2 in acidic condition, and an extremely low overpotential of 47.6 mV at 10 mA/cm 2 in alkaline media as a HER catalyst. This study presents a cost-effective approach for the development of high performance PtCo x /C catalysts, and confirms their potential application in hydrogen energy technologies. • A facile one-pot synthesis approach of PtCo x /C is developed. • The PtCo x particles with the size of ∼3 nm disperses uniformly on carbon support. • The Pt 3 Co/C exhibits excellent catalytic activity towards both ORR and HER. • Catalytic performance can be optimized by adjusting synthesis conditions.