Shaped Pd-Ni-Pt core-sandwich-shell nanoparticles: influence of Ni sandwich layers on catalytic electrooxidations.

Shape-controlled metal nanoparticles (NPs) interfacing Pt and nonprecious metals (M) are highly active energy conversion electrocatalysts; however, there are still few routes to shaped M-Pt core-shell NPs and fewer studies on the geometric effects of shape and strain on catalysis by such structures. Here, well-defined cubic multilayered Pd-Ni-Pt sandwich NPs are synthesized as a model platform to study the effects of the nonprecious metal below the shaped Pt surface. The combination of shaped Pd substrates and mild reduction conditions directs the Ni and Pt overgrowth in an oriented, layer-by-layer fashion.