Synthesis and electrocatalytic performance of high loading active PtRu multiwalled carbon nanotube catalyst for methanol oxidation

Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) supported PtRu catalyst was prepared by improved aqueous impregnation method. The catalyst nanoparticles were characterized by using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. According to the results of physicochemical characterization, PtRu alloy nanoparticles with low content of surface oxidation states were successfully synthesized on the outer surface of MWCNT supporting materials. Electrocatalytic activity of catalyst materials was investigated by using electrochemical half cell and CO stripping analyses. Results of electrochemical measurements indicate that the prepared PtRu/MWCNT catalyst shows an enhanced electrochemical activity toward methanol oxidation and a high electrocatalytic activity for CO oxidation. It is believed that superior performance of the PtRu/MWCNT catalyst is mostly attributed to the high degree of alloy formation and low contents of oxidized species of Pt and Ru.