Preparation of carbon-supported PtRu nanoparticles for direct methanol fuel cell applications – a comparative study

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 142; no. 1; pp. 43 - 49
• Main Authors: Deivaraj, T.C., Lee, Jim Yang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 24.03.2005; Elsevier Sequoia
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Direct methanol fuel cell; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrocatalyst; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Pt alloy; PtRu nanoparticles; Single-source precursors; Thermolysis; Electrocatalyst; Pt alloy; PtRu nanoparticles; Direct methanol fuel cell; Single-source precursors; Thermolysis; Measurement; Pyrolysis; Ethanol; Thermal decomposition; Alloys; Alcohol fuel cells; Chemical reduction; Transmission electron microscopy; Preparation; Catalyst; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2004.10.010

Carbon-supported PtRu nanoparticles were prepared by different methods that involve the simultaneous chemical reduction of H 2PtCl 6 and RuCl 3 by NaBH 4 at room temperature ( PtRu-1), by ethanol under reflux ( PtRu-2), and by the thermal decomposition of a single-source molecular precursor [(bipy) 3Ru] (PtCl 6) ( PtRu-3). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examinations show that the mean diameter of the PtRu nanoparticles is lowest for PtRu-1 followed by PtRu-2 and PtRu-3. Measurements of electrocatalytic properties, however, reveal a different trend, namely: PtRu-3 > PtRu-1 > PtRu-2. This is attributed to the formation of a more homogenous alloy nanoparticle system from the thermolysis of the single-source molecular precursor. All three catalysts are more active than commercially available E-TEK (20 wt.%) Pt catalyst. PtRu-3 also displays the highest tolerance to carbon monoxide. Heat treatment of PtRu-1 and PtRu-2 only marginally affects their electrocatalytic performance, whereas the co-reduction of H 2PtCl 6 and RuCl 3 under alkaline conditions has more adverse outcomes.