Synthesis of PtRu/C-CNTs electrocatalysts for DMFCs with treated-CNTs and composition regulation

Abstract

In the present work, PtRu/C-CNTs catalyst samples were studied for potential applications in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were treated by H₂SO₄ 98% and HNO₃ 65% at different temperatures and with different stirring periods. As a result, the PtRu/C-CNTs catalyst was successfully synthesized by using H2PtCl₆ and RuCl₃ precursors with the efficient reduction of NaBH₄ agent in ethylene glycol (e.g.). In addition, we controlled the ratios of treated-CNTs on carbon vulcan XC-72 treated-CNTs substrate (C-CNTs) with the different values: 50 wt%, 25 wt%, and 12.5 wt%, respectively. The PtRu/C-CNTs electrocatalyst samples were investigated by experimental methods including x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Importantly, the CV results show the best treated-CNTs and the most suitable ratio of CNTs composition on C-CNTs substrate to be controlled in order to produce various efficient PtRu/C-CNTs catalysts with high catalytic activity for DMFCs