Pt²⁺-Exchanged ZIF-8 nanocube as a solid-state precursor for L1₀-PtZn intermetallic nanoparticles embedded in a hollow carbon nanocage

Nanoparticles with an atomically ordered alloy phase have received enormous attention for application as catalysts in fuel cells because of their unique electronic properties resulting from unusually strong d-orbital interactions between two metal components. However, the synthesis of intermetallic nanoparticles requires a high reaction temperature, thus necessitating the protection of nanoparticles with inorganic layers to prevent aggregation of nanoparticles during synthesis. The protective layer needs to be removed later for application as a catalyst, which is a cumbersome process. Herein, a novel synthetic strategy is reported for the preparation of L1₀-PtZn intermetallic nanoparticles by utilizing Pt²⁺-exchanged ZIF-8 nanocubes as a solid-state precursor. The Pt²⁺-exchanged ZIF-8 phase plays a dual role as a metal ion source for L1₀-PtZn nanoparticles and as a carbonaceous matrix that restrains the aggregation of nanoparticles during thermal treatment. The L1₀-PtZn nanoparticles embedded in a hollow carbon nanocage obtained from one-step annealing of Pt²⁺-exchanged ZIF-8 showed better electrocatalytic activity and durability toward methanol oxidation under acidic electrolyte conditions than those obtained from commercial Pt/C catalysts.