Co-catalytic effect of nanostructured ruthenium oxide towards electro-oxidation of methanol and carbon monoxide

Carbon supported platinum (Pt/C) modified with nanostructured ruthenium oxide was prepared and the activity towards the electro-oxidation of methanol and pre-adsorbed carbon monoxide was studied. Electrochemical studies at 60 °C in 0.5 M H2SO4 indicated that the addition of crystalline ruthenic acid nanosheets (HROns) as a co-catalyst to Pt/C promotes both methanol and carbon monoxide electro-oxidation. The increase in the activity of HROns modified Pt/C compared to Pt/C is suggested to be a result of the bi-functional characteristic of the surface of the oxide nanosheets.