Platinum group metals-based intermetallic compounds: Syntheses and application in electrocatalysis

Recently, platinum group metals-based intermetallic compounds (PGMs-based IMCs) have emerged as a rapidly developing class of materials for electrocatalysis. The ordered atomic arrangement, defined bonding environment, and specific electronic configuration not only ensure outstanding catalytic activity and high stability of PGMs-based IMCs but also make them ideal model catalysts for deciphering the structure-activity relationship. In this comprehensive review, we present recent research progress on PGMs-based IMCs as electrocatalysts. Firstly, we summarize and classify the synthetic methods of PGMs-based IMCs, including thermal annealing method, wet-chemistry method, and several distinct branches. For each synthetic strategy, we extract the characteristic and crucial factors. Subsequently, we introduce the electrocatalytic applications and highlight several vital reactions of PGMs-based IMCs, including hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and fuel oxidation reaction (FOR). We systematically discuss the underlying enhancement mechanism of electrocatalytic performance. Finally, we provide an outlook for the future of PGM-based IMCs in the field of electrocatalysis.