Construction of Porous PtCo Alloy Nanotubes via an Epitaxial Growth Method for Efficient and Stable Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Co nanostructured material undergoes surface evolution after electrochemical cycling, exhibiting optimized oxygen reduction reaction catalytic activity and excellent stability. The surface evolution process induced by electrochemical cycling generates compressive strain on the Pt surface, which optimizes the adsorption of oxygen-containing intermediates and, thereby, enhances the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. In addition, the resulting strained Pt-rich surface structure elevates the formation energy of the Pt vacancy, thereby improving the corresponding electrochemical durability. This work provides a new revenue for the precise construction of multidimensional Pt-based nanostructures and optimization of interface structures.