Effect of third metal on the electrocatalytic activity of PtRu/Vulcan for methanol electro-oxidation

The effect of a third metal on the activity of PtRu/Vulcan toward methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) is studied. An efficient method to prepare ternary catalysts was used, which allows the introduction of the third metal to PtRu/Vulcan without altering its particle size or dispersion. Ni, Mo, Co, and Ir were chosen and added to PtRu/Vulcan, based on theoretical and experimental literature results, anticipating enhancement in the catalytic activity of PtRu/Vulcan. The composition of the third metal can be varied from trace to considerable amounts. Transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis were used to determine the particle size, dispersion, and the composition of the ternary catalysts. Cylic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and CO-stripping voltammetry were used to analyze and compare the activities of the catalysts at 25 °C. It has been found that the addition of even trace amounts of third metal significantly affects the catalytic activity of PtRu toward MOR.