Modified polyol synthesis of PtRu/C for high metal loading and effect of post-treatment

Abstract The polyol-reduction method is modified for both high metal loading and high dispersion of particles. The catalysts are post-treated with different atmospheres and temperatures. The post-treatment modifies the morphological and crystallographic structures of the catalysts which influence the methanol oxidation activities. The catalysts are characterized by using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The post-treatment induces a change of surface areas and a phase separation of Pt and Ru that modify the surface structures along with the intrinsic and mass-specific activities of methanol oxidation. The activities modified by the post-treatment are investigated by using methanol oxidation at room temperature and at 60 °C. Comparison with single-cell performance is conducted, and the results are in accord with those for methanol oxidation at 60 °C. All synthesized catalysts exhibit higher single-cell performances than the commercial catalyst.