Pt∧Ru/C catalysts synthesized by a two-stage polyol reduction process for methanol oxidation reaction

Highly dispersed Ru/C catalysts are prepared using high viscosity glycerol as a reducing agent and are treated in H2 atmosphere to ensure stability. A Pt∧Ru/C catalyst is prepared by an ethylene glycol process based on the pre-formed Ru/C. The catalyst is tested for methanol oxidation reaction at room temperature and is compared with the activity of the as-prepared PtRu/C alloyed catalyst (prepared by co-reduction of Pt and Ru precursors) and commercial PtRu/C from E-TEK. The catalysts are extensively characterized by Transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Electrochemical measurements by cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed consistently high catalytic activities and improved CO resistance for the Pt∧Ru/C catalyst.

► High viscosity glycerol as effective reducing agent is used to produce highly dispersed Ru/C.
► Pt∧Ru/C is composed of isolated Pt and Pt-on-Ru core–shell nanoparticles, which is attributed to the enhanced activity.
► Pt∧Ru/C registered higher catalytic activity relative to commercial E-TEK PtRu/C.