Facile preparation and unique H-2 adsorption behavior of three-dimensional novel Pt-Ru hollow sphere assemblies

Abstract

Three-dimensional long range ordered hollow Pt-Ru sphere assemblies were prepared using a sacrificial three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) carbon template. Metallic salts, such as a mixture of RuCl3 with H2PtCl6 were infiltrated into the carbon template, and a reduced Pt-Ru phase was produced on the surface of the 3DOM carbon template by a borohydride reduction reaction. The sacrificial template was then burnt off in air at 650 degrees C. The diameter of the hollow Pt-Ru spheres could be tailored using a different pore size 3DOM carbon template. Assemblies with an outer diameter of 550 nm showed high BET surface area of 584.3 m(2)/g. In addition, a high hydrogen adsorption stoichiometry (>0.5 H/M) was obtained on the Pt-Ru sphere assemblies, which indicated that most of the metal atoms on the surface were exposed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.