A novel co-precipitation method for preparation of Pt-CeO2 composites on multi-walled carbon nanotubes for direct methanol fuel cells

Ceria (CeO2) as co-catalytic material with Pt on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Pt-CeO2/MWCNT) is synthesized by a co-precipitation method. The physicochemical characterizations of the catalysts are carried out by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Electrocatalytic activities of the catalysts for methanol oxidation is examined by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques and it is found that Pt-CeO2/MWCNT catalysts exhibited a better activity and stability than did the unmodified Pt/MWCNT catalyst. CO-stripping results indicate the facile removal of intermediate poisoning species CO in the presence of CeO2, which is helpful for CO and methanol electro-oxidation.