Fabrication of Pt-Cu/RGO hybrids and their electrochemical performance for the oxidation of methanol and formic acid in acid media

Pt-Cu/reduced graphene oxide (Pt-Cu/RGO) hybrids with different Pt/Cu ratios were prepared by the reduction of H2PtCl6 and CuSO4 by NaBH4 in the presence of graphene oxide (GO). The Pt-Cu nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The reduction of GO was verified by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Compared to Pt/RGO, the Pt-Cu/RGO hybrids have superior electrocatalytic activity and stability for the oxidation of methanol and formic acid. Thus they should have potential applications in direct methanol and formic acid fuel cells.