One-step fabrication of ordered Pt–Cu alloy nanotube arrays for ethanol electrooxidation

Novel one dimensional (1D) nanostructured metallic electrodes have received much attention in the area of the fuel cell because of their extremely high surface-to-volume ratios and excellent activities. Here, we report the one-step fabrication of Pt–Cu alloy nanotube arrays. As determined by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, ordered Pt–Cu alloy nanotubes have been successfully fabricated utilizing a nanochannel alumina template. The electrocatalytic activities of the Pt–Cu alloy nanotubes for the oxidation of ethanol in acidic medium were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The results show that the Pt–Cu alloy nanotubes can be used as effective electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation in direct alcohol fuel cells.