Oxygen Reduction Reaction Activity and Stability of Shaped Metal-Doped PtNi Electrocatalysts Evaluated in Gas Diffusion Electrode Half-Cells.

The synthesis of bimetallic and trimetallic platinum-based octahedral catalysts for the cathode of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is a particularly active area aimed at meeting technological requirements in terms of durability and cost. The electrocatalytic activity and stability of these shaped catalysts were tested at relatively high potentials (@0.9 V vs RHE) and at lower current densities using the rotating disk electrode, which is less suitable for assessing their behavior under the operating conditions of PEMFCs.

On the electrocatalytical oxygen reduction reaction activity and stability of quaternary RhMo-doped PtNi/C octahedral nanocrystals.

Recently proposed bimetallic octahedral Pt-Ni electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) cathodes suffer from particle instabilities in the form of Ni corrosion and shape degradation. Advanced trimetallic Pt-based electrocatalysts have contributed to their catalytic performance and stability. In this work, we propose and analyse a novel quaternary octahedral (oh-)Pt nanoalloy concept with two distinct metals serving as stabilizing surface dopants.

Highly Active and Stable Large Mo-Doped Pt-Ni Octahedral Catalysts for ORR: Synthesis, Post-treatments, and Electrochemical Performance and Stability.

Over the past decade, advances in the colloidal syntheses of octahedral-shaped Pt-Ni alloy nanocatalysts for use in fuel cell cathodes have raised our atomic-scale control of particle morphology and surface composition, which, in turn, helped raise their catalytic activity far above that of benchmark Pt catalysts. Future fuel cell deployment in heavy-duty vehicles caused the scientific priorities to shift from alloy particle activity to stability. Larger particles generally offer enhanced thermodynamic stability, yet synthetic approaches toward larger octahedral Pt-Ni alloy nanoparticles have remained elusive.

An Engineered Nanocomplex with Photodynamic and Photothermal Synergistic Properties for Cancer Treatment.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) are promising therapeutic methods for cancer treatment; however, as single modality therapies, either PDT or PTT is still limited in its success rate. A dual application of both PDT and PTT, in a combined protocol, has gained immense interest. In this study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were conjugated with a PDT agent, meso-tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin (mTHPC) photosensitizer, designed as nanotherapeutic agents that can activate a dual photodynamic/photothermal therapy in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.

Advancements in cathode catalyst and cathode layer design for proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells have been recently developed at an increasing pace as clean energy conversion devices for stationary and transport sector applications. High platinum cathode loadings contribute significantly to costs. This is why improved catalyst and support materials as well as catalyst layer design are critically needed.

meso-Tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles as a Tool To Improve Photodynamic Therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising therapeutic modality for cancer. However, current protocols using bare drugs suffer from several limitations that impede its beneficial clinical effects. Here, we introduce a new approach for an efficient PDT treatment.

Hollow octahedral and cuboctahedral nanocrystals of ternary Pt-Ni-Au alloys.

Hollow particles of Pt-Ni-Au alloys have been prepared through a two-step reaction with the synthesis of NiPt octahedral and cuboctahedral templates followed by a galvanic replacement reaction by Au(iii). Metal etching presents an efficient method to yield hollow particles and investigate the Au diffusion in the metallic Pt-Ni framework through macroscopic (X-ray diffraction and SQUID magnetic measurement) and microscopic (HRTEM and STEM) measurements. The hollow particles retain the shape of the original nanocrystals.