Pt–Ru electrocatalysts supported on ordered mesoporous carbon for direct methanol fuel cell

Pt–Ru electrocatalysts supported on ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK-3) were prepared by the formic acid method. Catalysts were characterized applying energy dispersive X-ray analyses (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Methanol and carbon monoxide oxidation was studied electrochemically by cyclic voltammetry, and current–time curves were recorded in a methanol solution in order to establish the activity towards this reaction under potentiostatic conditions. The physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the Pt–Ru catalysts supported on CMK-3 carbon were compared with those of electrocatalysts supported on Vulcan XC-72 and commercial catalyst from E-TEK. Additionally, in order to complete this study, Pt electrocatalysts supported on CMK-3 and Vulcan XC-72 were prepared by the same method and were used as reference. Results showed that the Pt–Ru/CMK-3 catalyst presented the best electrocatalytic activity towards the CO oxidation and, therefore, good perspectives to its application in DMFC anodes. On the other hand, the activity of the Pt–Ru/CMK-3 catalyst towards methanol oxidation was higher than that of the commercial Pt–Ru/C (E-TEK) catalyst on all examined potentials, confirming the potential of the bimetallic catalysts supported on mesoporous carbons.