Interconnected Pt-nanodendrite/DNA/reduced-graphene-oxide hybrid showing remarkable oxygen reduction activity and stability

Abstract

Controlling the morphology and size of platinum nanodendrites (PtDs) is a key factor in improving their catalytic activity and stability. Here, we report the synthesis of PtDs on genomic-double-stranded-DNA/reduced-grapheneoxide (gdsDNA/rGO) by the NaBH4 reduction of H2PtCl6 in the presence of plant gdsDNA. Compared to industrially adopted catalysts (i.e., state-of-the-art Pt/C catalyst, Pt/rGO, Pt3Co, etc.), the as-synthesized PtDs/gdsDNA/rGO hybrid displays very high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic activities (much higher than the 2015 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) target values), which are the rate-determining steps in electrochemical energy devices, in terms of onset-potential, halfwave potential, specific-activity, mass-activity, stability, and durability. Moreover, the hybrid exhibits a highly stable mass activity for the ORR over a wide pH range of 113. These exceptional properties would make the hybrid applicable in nextgeneration electrochemical energy devices.