Fabrication of a high-performance Pb-PtCu/CNT catalyst for methanol electro-oxidation

► A novel trimetallic catalyst with a hierarchical structure was prepared. ► The specific activity of the Pb-PtCu/CNT catalyst (94.4 mA cm−2) for methanol oxidation is much higher than that of the PtRu/C (JM) catalyst (50 mA cm−2). ► The stability of the Pb-PtCu/CNT catalyst was greatly improved compared with the PtRu/C (JM) catalyst. ► The prominent advantage of the Pb-PtCu/CNT catalyst was excellent anti-poisoning ability.