Two-dimensional PtPb-PbS heterostructure enables improved kinetics and highlighted bifunctional antipoisoning for methanol electrooxidation

Two-dimensional (2D) platinum (Pt)-based nanomaterials are considered as the ideal fuel cell catalysts, while their rational synthesis associated with phase control remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we firstly design the novel 2D Pt-lead-sulphur heterophased nanosheets (PtPbS HPNSs) as efficient high-toleration electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). They exhibit much higher activity and more highlighted bifunctional antipoisoning abilities than PtPb NSs and commercial Pt/C. Further density functional theory (DFT) simulation verifies that the decreased electron density of Pt sites worked by Pb and S makes CO intermediate favorable to desorb, avoiding the formation of CO*-polluted Pt sites. Simultaneously, this heterophased interface effectively weakens the adsorption of S 2− -species and improves the S-poisoning tolerance, showing a route to realize nearly innoxious catalysis. The present work highlights the importance of heterophase control in tuning antipoisoning property for 2D Pt-based nanomaterials, which is key for the rational design of efficient fuel cell anodic catalysts.