Electrocatalytic Enhancement of 0D/1D/2D Multidimensional PtCo Alloy@Cobalt Benzoate/Graphene Composite Catalyst for Alcohol Electro‐Oxidation

Abstract PtCo alloy@cobalt benzoate/graphene (PtCo@Co‐BA/Gr) composite catalyst with 0D/1D/2D multidimensional structure is presented with simple solvothermal approach. As the introduced critical carrier, benzoic acid cobalt (II) (Co‐BA) has porous channels matching the size of platinum (Pt) nanoparticles and can enable PtCo alloy particles to be formed in its 1D mesopores through in situ reduction. Experiments indicate that the hydroxyl (OH) groups on the outer surface of Co‐BA are beneficial to form a strong interaction between Co‐BA and graphene. Compared with commercial Pt/C catalyst, the prepared PtCo@Co‐BA/Gr composite catalysts display an enlarged electrochemically active surface area, enhanced catalytic activity, and prolonged durability in acidic media toward the oxidation of various alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, and ethylene glycol, which is mainly due to the increased surface area of PtCo by the confinement of mesoporous Co‐BA fiber, the promotion of water molecule dissociation of Co‐BA skeleton, and the improvement of conductivity by the introduction of graphene.