Pt1-Pd3Co1 nanoparticles supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a high performance electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation

In this communication, a high performance heteronanostructured electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation, Pt decorating PdCo nanoparticles supported on pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Pt1-Pd3Co1/P-MWCNTs), is successfully prepared via a two-step strategy. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry measurements demonstrate that the as-prepared Pt1-Pd3Co1/P-MWCNTs catalyst exhibits superior electrocatalytic performance for methanol oxidation compared with commercial 20% Pt/C and Pt/P-MWCNTs catalysts. Furthermore, the mass activity of the as-prepared Pt1-Pd3Co1/P-MWCNTs catalyst is about 3 times of that of the Pt/P-MWCNTs catalyst. The enhanced electrocatalytic activity and stability could be attributed to the synergistic effect between Pt and PdCo, resulting in the higher utilization efficiency of Pt. Because of its relatively low-cost and high performance, the as-prepared Pt1-Pd3Co1/P-MWCNTs catalyst might be an economically viable alternative for methanol oxidation.

► Pristine MWCNTs are used as the electrocatalyst support.
► Ternary Pt1-Pd3Co1 electrocatalyst supported on P-MWCNTs was successfully prepared.
► Pt nanoparticles are decorated on Pd3Co1 alloyed nanoparticles uniformly.
► The catalyst shows superior catalytic activity and stability for methanol oxidation.