A highly active PtCu₃ intermetallic core–shell, multilayered Pt-skin, carbon embedded electrocatalyst produced by a scale-up sol–gel synthesis

We present a novel, scaled-up sol-gel synthesis which enables one to produce 20 g batches of highly active and stable carbon supported PtCu3 nanoparticles as cathode materials for low temperature fuel cell application. We confirm the presence of an ordered intermetallic phase underneath a multilayered Pt-skin together with firm embedment of nanoparticles in the carbon matrix.