Probing the enhanced methanol electrooxidation mechanism on platinum-metal oxide catalyst

Abstract Pt-metal oxide nanocomposites are classified as an alternative promising catalyst besides Pt-Ru nanoalloys for electrochemical methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), and yet the relevant enhancement mechanism MOR remains largely elusive in terms of functions pathways. Herein, interface-rich Pt-SnO2 nanoflakes supported on reduced graphene have been prepared employed a model such study. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy absorption measurements reveal significant electronic structure modification Pt contact with SnO2, concomitant enhanced MOR. In-situ surface infrared on-line differential mass spectrometry indicate that non-CO pathway is selectively compared to CO which prevails Pt. DFT calculations reinforce this manipulation favors Pt-SnO2.