Novel synthesis of PtRu/multi-walled carbon nanotube catalyst via a microwave-assisted imidazolium ionic liquid method for methanol oxidation

A facile and fast microwave-assisted ionic liquid method has been developed to prepare PtRu nanoparticles onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). This novel method has some advantages, such as the high electrocatalytic activity of the catalysts for the methanol oxidation, simple preparation procedures, and recycle of the ionic liquids. Transmission electron micrograph shows that PtRu nanoparticles with diameter of 2–5 nm are uniformly deposited along the length of the MWCNTs (PtRu/MWCNTs). The structure and nature of the resulting PtRu/MWCNT catalysts are also characterized by X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical measurements show that the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol shows very high catalytic efficiency compared with commercial E-TEK Pt/C (20 wt%Pt) catalysts, which is crucial for anode electrocatalysis in direct methanol fuel cells.