Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of a novel platinum chalcogenide electrocatalyst with an enhanced tolerance to methanol in the oxygen reduction reaction

Platinum-sulphide electrocatalyst, in the nano-scale length, supported on carbon (PtxSy/C) was obtained by thermal treatment (350 °C) of the chemical precursor which was generated by reacting sulphur and salts of platinum at room temperature. Cyclic voltammetry, and rotating disk electrode electrochemical measurements in methanol containing acid electrolyte revealed that the chalcogenide material is 95% selective, as compared to commercial Pt/C, in methanol for the oxygen reduction reaction.