Simultaneous formation of trimetallic Pt-Ni-Cu excavated rhombic dodecahedrons with enhanced catalytic performance for the methanol oxidation reaction

Multimetallic Pt-based alloys with excavated structures have attracted great interest owing to their compositional and morphological tunability, high specific surface areas, and impressive electro-catalytic activities. Herein, we report the first facile one-pot synthesis of trimetallic Pt-Ni-Cu highly excavated rhombic dodecahedrons （ERDs） with a yield approaching 100%. More importantly, these highly uniform nanocrystals have three-dimensionally accessible excavated surfaces, where abundant stepped atoms are observed. Benefiting from the highly excavated rhombic dodecahedral structures, electronic and synergistic effects within the trimetallic allo3~ and abundant stepped atoms, the as-prepared trimetallic Pt-Ni-Cu ERDs exhibit an enhanced electro-catalytic performance for the electro-oxidation of methanol compared to commercial Pt/C and bimetallic Pt-Cu ERDs and Pt-Ni-Cu solid rhombic dodecahedrons solid rhombic dodecahedrons （SRDs）.

Recent advances in copper-based materials for robust lithium polysulfides adsorption and catalytic conversion

Lithium-sulfur(Li-S) batteries are considered one of the most promising next-generation secondary batteries owing to their ultrahigh theoretical energy density.However,practical applications are hindered by the shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfides(Li PSs) and sluggish redox kinetics,which result in low active material utilization and poor cycling stability.Various copper-based materials have been used to inhibit the shuttle effect of Li PSs,owing to the strong anchoring effect caused by the lithiophilic/sulphilic sites and the accelerated conversion kinetics caused by excellent catalytic activity.This study briefly introduces the working principles of Li-S batteries,followed by a summary of the synthetic methods for copper-based materials.Moreover,the recent research progress in the utilization of various copper-based materials in cathodes and separators of Li-S batteries,including copper oxides,copper sulfides,copper phosphides,copper selenides,copper-based metal-organic frameworks(MOFs),and copper single-atom,are systematically summarized.Subsequently,three strategies to improve the electrochemical performance of copper-based materials through defect engineering,morphology regulation,and synergistic effect of different components are presented.Finally,our perspectives on the future development of copper-based materials are presented,highlighting the major challenges in the rational design and synthesis of high-performance Li-S batteries.