Facile preparation of PtPdPt/graphene nanocomposites with ultrahigh electrocatalytic performance for methanol oxidation

•PtPdPt/GN nanocomposites were prepared by a facile electrodeposition process.•PtPdPt/GN catalysts exhibited ultrahigh electrocatalytic performance for methanol oxidation.•PtPdPt/GN catalysts exhibited superior tolerance to carbon monoxide poisoning.

In the present work, the PtPdPt nanocomposites with an average diameter of 22.3 nm are successfully anchored onto graphene nano-sheets by using a facile electrodeposition process, as advanced direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) electrocatalysts. The resulting PtPdPt/graphene nanocomposites are developed toward highly active catalysts for methanol oxidation. Experimental results reveal that the PtPdPt/graphene catalysts exhibit significantly enhanced electrocatalytic performance (jp = 25.63 mA cm− 2) and higher tolerance to carbon monoxide poisoning (IF/IB = 1.602) generates in the process of methanol oxidation when compared with traditional Pt/graphene (jp = 7.20 mA cm− 2; IF/IB = 1.178) and PtPd/graphene catalysts (jp = 12.86 mA cm− 2; IF/IB = 1.442). This study implies that the prepared catalysts have great potential applications in direct methanol fuel cells.

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