Platinum catalyzed growth of NiPt hollow spheres with an ultrathin shell

Active, robust, and low-cost catalysis is a key component for the commercialization of efficient catalysts. The development of effective strategies for the synthesis and processing of bimetallic nanoparticles with controllable size and composition is an important approach to the catalyst preparation. In this paper, a noble metal catalyzed chemical growth process has been developed. Nearly monodispersed bimetallic NiPt hollow spheres with an ultrathin shell (2–3 nm) have been successfully synthesized. Size and composition of the NiPt nanospheres has been conveniently tuned by introducing suitable amounts of precursory molecules. The solid, hollow as well as the jingle bell NiPt nanostructures are sequentially observed as results of the catalytic growth and alloying effect of Pt. Also demonstrated are the pronounced decay-resistant effects of Ni doping on the electrocatalytic properties. The excellent electrocatalytic activity and stability make the bimetallic NiPt hollow spheres promising candidates for catalysts and sensing materials.