Enhanced Methanol Oxidation Activity of PtRu/C100−xMWCNTsx (x = 0–100 wt.%) by Controlling the Composition of C-MWCNTs Support

PtRu nanoparticles decorated on carbon-based supports are of great interest for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). In this study, alloy carbon Vulcan XC-72 (C), multi-walled nanotubes (MWCNTs), and C-MWCNTs composite were synthesized by co-reduction method. As a result, obtained small mean size (dmean = 1.8–3.8 nm) with distribution 1–7 nm. We found that PtRu/C60MWCNTs40 possesses not only high oxidation activity, but also excellent carbonaceous species tolerance ability, suggesting support is better than either C or MWCNTs support. Furthermore, detailed investigation PtRu/C100−xMWCNTsx (x 10–50 wt.%) shows the current density (Jf), catalyst ratio (Jf/Jr), electron transfer resistance (Ret) strongly affected composition. The highest Jf PtRu/C70MWCNTs30, which considered as an optimal electrocatalyst. Meanwhile, both PtRu/C70MWCNTs30 exhibit low Ret 5.31–6.37 Ω·cm2. It in terms simultaneously achieving enhanced activity good tolerance.