Pt–Ru bimetallic nanoparticles anchored on carbon nanotubes/polyaniline composites with coral-like structure for enhanced methanol oxidation
Xiaoling Zhang, Ruiwen Yan, Wenchang Zhou, Sijie Zhou
Abstract
In order to surmount the poor stability and low utilization efficiency of Pt catalysts, the Pt-Ru bimetallic nanoparticles/polyaniline/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites (PRPM) were fabricated. Structural characterization data by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, spherical aberration corrected transmission electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed PRPM with coral-like structure. The particle size of Pt-Ru bimetallic nanoparticles were about 3.76 nm. It exhibited higher mass activity of Pt10Ru1/PANI/CNTs catalyst (987.9 mA·mgPt−1) compared to Pt10Ru1/CNTs catalyst (619.2 mA·mgPt−1) for MOR. The Pt10Ru1/PANI/CNTs catalyst showed lower onset potentials, lower peak current potential compared to Pt-Ru/C in CO stripping experiment. The calculated results were confirmed by the above experimental data. This work provided scientific guidance for fabricating new functional materials in fuel cells field.