Enhanced methanol electrooxidation activity of PtRu nanoparticles supported on H2O2-functionalized carbon black

PtRu nanoparticles deposited on a carbon black substrate are catalysts commonly employed for the electrooxidation of methanol and carbon monoxide-containing hydrogen feeds [1], [2]. However, improvement of effective electrocatalysts is an essential goal in the development of a practical DMFC. The use of carbon black as a support for noble metals is frequent in the electrodes of polymer membrane electrolyte fuel cells, but the impact of the chemical and physical properties of the carbon on electrocatalytic performance are not yet sufficiently understood. The presence of oxygen surface groups influences the surface behaviour of carbons to a considerable extent [3], [4]. As examples, the wettability and adsorptive behaviour of a carbon, as well as its catalytic and electrical properties, are influenced by the nature and extent of such surface groups. The varying role of oxygenated functionalities on the formation of the dispersed platinum has been established [5], [6], [7], [8], but not with an additional metal such as ruthenium. In the present investigation we report how the performance in methanol electrooxidation of PtRu nanoparticles deposited on a carbon black substrate, previously functionalized with oxygen surface groups, is improved.