Atomically dispersed NiO cluster on high-index Pt facets boost ethanol electrooxidation through long-range synergistic sites

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Constructing the desired long-range dual sites to enhance the C–C bond-cleavage and CO-tolerate ability during ethanol oxidation reaction is of importance for further applications. Herein, the concept of holding atomically dispersed NiO x cluster supported on Pt-based high-index facets (NiO x /Pt) is proposed to build O-bridged Pt–Ni dual sites. Strikingly, the obtained NiO x /Pt dual sites show 4.97 times specific activity higher than that of commercial Pt/C (0.35 ​mA ​cm −2 ), as well as outstanding CO-tolerance and durability. The advanced electrochemical in-situ characterizations reveal that the NiO x /Pt can accelerate rapid dehydroxylation and C–C bond-cleavage over the Pt–Ni dual sites. Theoretical calculations disclose that the atomically dispersed NiO x species can lower the adsorption/reaction energy barriers of intermediates. This tactic provides a promising methodology on regulating the surface synergistic sites via engineering atomically dispersed oxide site. The NiO x /Pt dual sites are constructed by grafting the single-atomic NiO x cluster on high-index Pt facets, which shows an enhanced catalytic activity and CO ads poisonous resistance, as well as excellent durability towards ethanol electrooxidation. The obtained long-range Ni–Pt dual sites can accelerate rapid oxidation of –OH and cleavage of C–C bond of ethanol molecules through synergy catalysis. The phase of "Ni 1 O x /Pt" are corrected to "NiO x /Pt" .