Two-step pyrolysis process to synthesize highly dispersed Pt–Ru/carbon nanotube catalysts for methanol electrooxidation

Highly dispersed Pt–Ru particles with different atomic ratios supported on carbon nanotubes were synthesized using an easy two-step synthesis method including adsorption and pyrolysis. In this method, the functionalized carbon nanotubes act as adsorption sites for metallic ions and subsequently act as nucleation center for catalyst deposition in the pyrolysis process. The deposited Pt–Ru nanoparticles disperse on the carbon nanotubes surface uniformly, and the bulk composition of the Pt–Ru particles can be adjusted simply by changing atomic ratios of the metallic solution for adsorption. Finally, the electrocatalytic activity of the as-prepared catalysts supported on carbon nanotubes toward oxidation of methanol was studied. Results showed that their electrocatalytic activity, having long-term stability, strongly depends on the atomic ratio of Pt to Ru. The higher the concentration of Pt in the binary system is, the greater the electrocatalytic activity will be.