Electrocatalytic activity of Pt/C catalysts for methanol electrooxidation promoted by molybdovanadophosphoric acid

A Pt/C catalyst modified by the Keggin-structure molybdovanadophosphoric acid (PMV) is prepared by cyclic voltammetry and the modified Pt/C catalyst is studied for methanol electrooxidation. The results show that the PMV modified Pt/C catalyst has increased the electron transfer coefficient of the rate-determining step and diminished the adsorption of CO on Pt/C catalysts. Significant improvements in the catalytic activity and stability for methanol electrooxidation are observed, and it indicates that the PMV combined with Pt/C catalyst can be considered as a good electrocatalyst material for potential application in direct methanol fuel cells.

► PMV-Pt/C catalyst increased the electron transfer coefficient in reaction.
► PMV-Pt/C catalyst diminished the adsorption of CO on Pt/C catalysts.
► Pt/C-PMV3 catalysts had the best catalytic activity for methanol oxidation.
► Catalytic activity and stability improved largely on PMV-Pt/C catalysts.