Rapid synthesis of Pt-based alloy/carbon nanotube catalysts for a direct methanol fuel cell using flash light irradiation

We synthesized Pt, Pt–Ru alloy and Pt–Ru–Mo alloy nanoparticles on the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using flash light irradiation and characterized these catalysts. Pt100, Pt50-Ru50 alloy and Pt43-Ru43-Mo14 alloy are coated onto MWCNTs followed by flash light irradiation to facilitate the formation of nanoparticle-alloys. The fabricated pure Pt and Pt-based alloy nanoparticle/MWCNTs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results revealed that the Pt43-Ru43-Mo14/MWCNT catalyst has higher activity and stability with regard to methanol electro-oxidation than the Pt100/MWCNT and Pt50-Ru50/MWCNT catalysts.

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► Pt-based alloy nanoparticles were synthesized on MWCNTs by flash light irradiation.
► We generated the defect-free purified MWCNTs.
► We generated the strong bonding between Pt-based alloy nanoparticles and MWCNTs.
► Electro-catalytic performance was better than that prepared by chemical processes.