High methanol oxidation activity of electrocatalysts supported by directly grown nitrogen-containing carbon nanotubes on carbon cloth

The microstructure and electrochemical activity of the Pt–Ru supported by nitrogen-containing carbon nanotubes (CNx NTs) directly grown on the carbon cloth have been investigated. The CNx NTs directly grown on the carbon cloth (CNx NTs–carbon cloth composite electrode) were synthesized using microwave-plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition first and then use as the template to support the Pt–Ru nanoclusters subsequently sputtered on. The ferricyanide/ferrocyanide redox reaction in cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements showed a faster electron transfer on the CNx NTs–carbon cloth composite electrode than the one with carbon cloth alone. Comparing their methanol oxidation abilities, it is found that the Pt–Ru nanoclusters supported by the CNx NTs–carbon cloth composite electrode have considerably higher electrocatalytic activity than the carbon cloth counterpart. This result suggests high performance of the CNx NTs–carbon cloth composite electrode, and demonstrates its suitability for direct methanol fuel cell applications.