Platinum-ruthenium nanoparticles in poly(2,5-dimethoxyaniline)-poly(styrene sulfonic acid) via one-step synthesis route for methanol oxidation

Platinum-Ruthenium (Pt-Ru) nanoparticles were generated along with the simultaneous formation of poly(2,5-dimethoxyaniline) (PDMA) in the presence of poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PSS) using a one-step UV-assisted method. The existence of Pt-Ru nanoparticles was verified through characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The latter two confirmed that the surface state of Ru in the Pt-Ru nanoparticles not only has metallic characteristics but is also present in oxidized form. The existence of PDMA in PSS was also identified using ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. Based on electrochemical measurements, PDMA-PSS-Pt-Ru exhibited a much higher electrocatalytic activity than PDMA-PSS-Pt and bulk Pt in methanol oxidation. Under the appropriate conditions, these particles can potentially serve as robust electrocatalysts in fuel cell applications.