Patent ID: 7871738

Claim:
A method of preparing a nanosegregated Pt alloy having enhanced catalytic properties, comprising: providing a sample comprising Pt 3 Ni single crystal; providing a substantially inert and/or reductive environment; and annealing the sample in the substantially inert environment for a period and at a temperature profile to form a nanosegregated Pt alloy having a first layer consisting essentially of Pt, a second layer having an elevated level of Ni relative to the Pt 3 Ni single crystal, and a third layer having an elevated level of Pt relative to the Pt 3 Ni single crystal, wherein the alloy of Pt has a crystallographic orientation selected from the group of a {110} and a {111} orientation and the alloy layer of Pt having an electronic d band level downshifted relative to bulk Pt.