Electrocatalytic activity of nanosized Pt alloys in the methanol oxidation reaction

The electrocatalysis of the methanol oxidation reaction on carbon supported nanosized Pt and Pt–M (M: Ru, Pd, Rh and Sn) electrocatalysts was investigated in 0.5 M H2SO4 + 0.1 M CH3OH at room temperature by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The onset potential for methanol oxidation at GC/Pt–Ru/V was shifted to lower potentials and showed improved specific activity towards the methanol oxidation compared with platinum and the others Pt–M electrocatalysts studied. Accordingly, GC/Pt–Ru/V electrocatalysts showed an improved performance as anode materials in methanol oxidation reaction.