Ternary Pt45Ru45M10/C (M=Mn, Mo and W) catalysts for methanol and ethanol electro-oxidation

Abstract

Ternary Pt45Ru45Mn10/C, Pt45Ru45Mo10/C and Pt45Ru45W10/C catalysts were synthesized and physical and electrochemical properties were characterized. Particle sizes of the catalysts were determined by X-ray diffraction to be 3.9, 4.8 and 4.6 nm for the Mn, Mo and W incorporated catalysts, respectively. Electrochemically active surface areas were calculated from CO stripping results, which were 17.7, 17.2 and 15.7 m(2)/g (catal) for the Pt45Ru45Mn10/C, Pt45Ru45Mo10/C and Pt45Ru45W10/C catalysts, respectively. In methanol electro-oxidation, the Pt45Ru45W10/C catalyst showed highest mass and specific activities of 2.78 A/g (cat.) and 177 mA/m(2), respectively, which were 22 and 100% higher than those of commercial PtRu/C. In the case of ethanol electro-oxidation, the Pt45Ru45Mo10/C catalyst exhibited highest mass and specific activities of 4.8 A/g (catal) and 280 mA/m(2), respectively. Specific activity of the Pt45Ru45Mo10/C catalyst was 56% higher than that of the commercial PtRu/C.