Preparation and characterization of core–shell-like PbPt nanoparticles electro-catalyst supported on graphene for methanol oxidation

•A simple method for synthesize core–shell-like PbPt/G catalyst.•PbPt/G catalyst exhibits well catalytic performance and stability towards the electro-oxidation of methanol.•Well catalytic performance are attributed to an electronic effect of the Pt and Pb.

PbPt core–shell-like nanoparticles supported on graphene is successfully synthesized by a simply galvanic displacement reaction method. The composition, morphology, structure of the catalyst and activity towards methanol oxidation are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Chronoamperometric and CV results reveal that PbPt core–shell-like nanoparticles catalyst has better activity towards methanol oxidation than the pure platinum prepared under the same conditions. These behaviors are attributed to an electronic effect of the inner Pb or the increase in the d-orbital vacancy of Pt in core–shell-like PbPt catalyst.