Trimetallic (Au_rod-Pd_shell-Pt_cluster) catalyst used as amperometric hydrogen peroxide sensor

Bimetallic nanostructured core-shell structures are commonly used as catalysts in a wide variety of reactions. We surmised that the addition of an additional metal would potentially allow catalytic tailoring with the possibility of an increase in activity. Here a tri-metallic catalytic structure, consisting of clustered catalytic Pt on the surface of a Pd shell supported on a rod shaped Au core was fabricated. The significance of the additional metallic component is shown by comparative electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) analysis results for the trimetallic Au_rod-Pd_shell-Pt_cluster, bimetallic Au_rod-Pt_cluster and monometallic JM-Pt (used as a reference), which have respective ECSA values (cm²/mgPt) of 1883.0, 1371.7 and 879. The potential utility of the trimetallic catalysts was shown in a hydrogen peroxide sensing protocol, which showed the catalyst to have a sensitivity of 604 ìA/mMcm² within a linear range of 0.0013-6.191 mM.