Synthesis and methanol electrocatalytic oxidation performance of Pt-Ni heterostructure nanowires

Pt /Ni heterostructure nanowires were fabricated by electrochemical deposition method with the help of anodic aluminum oxide( AAO) template. The morphology and structure of the nanowires were characterized by X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Then,the composite of Pt /Ni nanowires and nafion were employed to modify a GC electrode. The activity and stability of this electrode to the methanol oxidation were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperograms methods. The results indicated that Pt /Ni heterostructure nanowires were a promising new class of catalyst for methanol oxidation and for direct methanol fuel cell applications.