Converting bulk platinum into nanoparticles greatly increases its exposed surface area, allowing very small amounts, typically less than one-quarter of a milligram per square centimeter. Recently, emerging platinum intermetallic catalysts have shown promise in improving catalyst activity and stability compared to conventional platinum alloys. “Our strategy is using this new carbon nanostructure to synthesize platinum cobalt intermetallic nanoparticles that can reduce precious metal content and enhance activity and stability,” Wu said. When researchers synthesize a larger particle, they sacrifice the activity for stability, while other efforts that focus on stability sacrifice activity. “As a result, the platinum cobalt nanoparticles built into this support showed best-in-class performance and long-lasting durability.