Facile synthesis of a Bi-modified PtRu catalyst for methanol and ethanol electro-oxidation in alkaline medium

In this work a facile synthesis for a high-performance PtRuBi/C catalyst was presented through a simple mixture of commercial PtRu/C and Bi(NO3)3. Most of the Bimodified the PtRu particle surface via irreversible adsorption and deposition processes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicated that Bi2O3 was the main form in the catalyst and that there exists an interaction between Bi2O3 and Pt. The current density of PtRuBi/C (1:1:0.2 for Pt:Ru:Bi) in the cyclic voltammograms for methanol or ethanol oxidation is over 2.6 times higher than that of PtRu/C. The anti-poisoning ability of this catalyst was also greatly improved. The Bi-containing catalyst had abundant oxygenated species and facilitated removal of poisonous intermediate species.

► Irreversible adsorption of Bi was used to facilely prepare PtRuBi/C catalysts.
► Currents of methanol and ethanol oxidation on PtRuBi/C were significantly enhanced.
► Durability and anti-poisoning ability were greatly improved on this catalyst.
► Addition of Bi facilitated adsorption of OHad species on catalyst surface.
► OHad species generated abundantly reduce adsorption of CO-like species.