Development of carbon nanotube and carbon xerogel supported catalysts for the electro-oxidation of methanol in fuel cells

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes and high surface area mesoporous carbon xerogel were prepared and used as supports for monometallic Pt and bimetallic Pt–Ru catalysts. In order to assess the influence of the oxygen surface groups of the support, the mesoporous carbon xerogel was also oxidized with diluted oxygen before impregnation. Various reduction protocols were tested, the best results corresponding to reduction with sodium borohydride. High dispersion catalysts were obtained, which showed quite good performance in the electro-oxidation of methanol. In particular, a remarkable increase in the activity was observed when the Pt–Ru catalysts were supported on the oxidised xerogel. This effect was explained in terms of the metal oxidation state, as shown by XPS. It has been shown that the oxidised support helps to maintain the metals in the metallic state, as required for the electro-oxidation of methanol. This effect was negligible in the case of the Pt catalysts.