Enhanced Oxygen Reduction and Methanol Oxidation Reaction Activities of Partially Ordered PtCu Nanoparticles

Platinum copper alloy nanoparticle catalysts supported on graphitized carbon with and without partial crystal ordering were synthesized and tested for oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation reaction for potential use in direct methanol fuel cells and proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The activity enhancement by at least a factor of 2 is possible when Pm-3m phase is present in the nanoparticle with respect to the pure Fm-3m phase. A significance of Pt-skin type catalysts concept is explained for lowering the platinum content.