Electrochemical co-deposition of bimetallic Pt–Ru nanoclusters dispersed on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and electrocatalytic behavior for methanol oxidation

Nanoclusters of bimetallic Pt–Ru are electrochemically deposited on conductive polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), which is also electrochemically deposited on a carbon paper substrate. The bimetallic deposition is carried out in an acidic electrolyte consisting of chloroplatinic acid and ruthenium chloride at 0.0 V versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE) on PEDOT coated carbon paper. A thin layer PEDOT on a carbon paper substrate facilitates the formation of uniform, well-dispersed, nano clusters of Pt–Ru of mean diameter of 123 nm, which consist of nanosize particles. In the absence of PEDOT, the size of the clusters is about 251 nm, which are unevenly distributed on carbon paper substrate. Cyclic voltammetry studies suggest that peak currents of methanol oxidation are several times greater on PtRu–PEDOT electrode than on Pt–Ru electrode in the absence of PEDOT.

► Electrooxidation of methanol. ► Pt-Ru catalyst. ► Nanoclusters of catalyst on PEDOT. ► Enhanced catalytic activity.