One‐Step Synthesis of Platinum Nanochain Networks toward Methanol Electrooxidation

The catalytic properties of nanocrystals can be tuned by adjusting their morphologies. Herein, platinum (Pt) nanochain networks (NNWs) are synthesized by reducing chloroplatinic acid with ascorbic acid in the presence of Triton X‐100 and KI. Dendritic Pt nanomaterials (DNs) are synthesized under the same conditions without the introduction of KI. Structural characterizations show that the Pt NNWs are built up of interconnected nanochains. This catalyst shows superior catalytic performance over its counterpart Pt DNs and commercial Pt black when used for methanol electrooxidation. The special morphology of Pt NNWs is believed to play a key role in improving the catalytic performance. This study provides more information about the relationships between catalytic property and morphology and offers some guidance for the preparation of one‐dimensional nanomaterials. Catalysts with similar structures show great potential for use in direct methanol fuel cells.