A novel route for preparation of PtRuMe (Me = Fe, Co, Ni) and their catalytic performance for methanol electrooxidation

PtRuMe (Me = Fe, Co, Ni) catalysts dispersed on multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared by ultrasonic-assisted chemical reduction. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that Pt existed as face-centered cubic structure, while Ru and Me alloyed with Pt. The calculated particle sizes from XRD data are of 3.40, 3.40, 2.61 and 3.06 nm for PtRu, PtRuFe, PtRuCo and PtRuNi, respectively, and are consistent with TEM results. The electrochemical measurements showed that the addition of Me to PtRu enhances the electrocatalytic properties for methanol oxidation and PtRuNi has the best catalytic activity and stability.