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Aziridinofullerene-porphyrin (C60-TPP) dyad was synthesized using triethyl phosphite mediated [2+1] cycloaddition reaction. Structural elucidation of the compound was carried out using NMR and FT-IR spectroscopic methods. The synthesized C60-TPP was further characterized using UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence emission studies. An optical study of the synthesized compound shows absorption maxima at 424 nm, around 516, 550, and 593 nm with small broad absorption peaks at 360 and at 480 nm. Photoluminescence studies of the compound shows emission maxima at around 597, 652 and 717 nm. Electrochemical studies of the compound shows oxidation potentials at 0.30, 0.52, 0.74 V and reduction potentials at−1.69,−2.07 and−2.42 V with respect to internal Fc/Fc+ reference corresponding to porphyrin and fullerene C60 moiety in the compound and the formation of C60-TPP. Furthermore, the absence of obtain XPS peaks corresponding to nitro group in C60-TPP confirms the conversion of nitro group to aziridine group.

Herein, we report a simple and elegant aqueous synthesis of Pd100-xPtx (x=5, 10, 15 and 20) nano-porous structures (NPoS) derived from Pd100-xMn2x (x=5, 10, 15 and 20) nano-alloys. Pd100-xPtx/C NPoS exhibit enhanced oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity along with higher retention of figure of merit in the presence of methanol compared to HiSPEC Pt/C catalyst. The ORR mass and specific activity values of Pd100-xPtx/C NPoS are high and exceed the U.S. department of energy (DOE) 2017–2020 targets. The enhanced methanol tolerance and ORR activity of Pd100-xPtx/C NPoS is attributed to their unique surface active Pd−Pt islands on nano-porous Pd. Direct methanol fuel cell performance studies employed using Pd85Pt15/C NPoS as cathode material (0.4 mgPt/cm2) and HiSPEC PtRu/C NPs as anode material (0.2 mgPt/cm2) shows improved direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) single cell activity at low Pt loading and the results are presented.

Gold-platinum nano-porous structures (Au100-xPtx NPoS) with unique surface enriched Au−Pt islands are synthesised through a galvanic replacement strategy from Au100-xAg2x nano-alloys with ultra-low platinum loading (x=1.25, 2.5 and 5). Formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR) on Au100-xPtx/C NPoS shows a distinct peak at around 0.5 V related to CO2 formation. A characteristic peak at around 1.5 V increases with increasing FA concentration owing to the direct FAOR by nano-porous Au centers. FAOR peaks and If/Ib peak current ratios indicates that, Au100-xPtx/C NPoS facilitates direct FAOR pathway unlike HiSPEC Pt/C (dehydration pathway). Based on the enhanced chrono-amperometric response, Tafel behaviour and mass activity values, Au97.5Pt2.5/C NPoS (5.5 A/mgPt) reflects as the optimal catalyst for efficient FAOR. The intriguing catalytic role of surface enriched Au−Pt islands present on nano-porous Au greatly helps in determining the superior FAOR activity in Au97.5Pt2.5/C NPoS towards direct dehydrogenation pathway at ultra-low Pt content compared to other NPoS and HiSPEC Pt/C catalysts.