Characterization of carbon-supported AuPt nanoparticles for electrocatalytic methanol oxidation reaction

In view of the recent finding that the bimetallic AuPt nanoparticles prepared by molecular-capping-based colloidal synthesis and subsequent assembly on carbon black support and thermal activation treatment exhibit alloy properties, which is in sharp contrast to the bimetallic miscibility gap known for the bulk counterparts in a wide composition range, there is a clear need to assess the electrocatalytic properties of the catalysts prepared with different bimetallic composition and different thermal treatment temperatures. This paper reports recent results of such an investigation of the electrocatalytic methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) activities of the carbon-supported AuPt nanoparticle catalysts with different bimetallic composition and thermal treatment temperatures. Au(m)Pt(100)(-)(m) nanoparticles of 2-3 nm core sizes with different atomic compositions ranging from 10% to 90% Au (m = 10 approximately 90) have been synthesized by controlling the feeding of the metal precursors used in the synthesis. The electrocatalytic MOR activities of the carbon-supported AuPt bimetallic catalysts were characterized in alkaline electrolytes. The catalysts with 65% to 85% Au and treated at 500 degrees C were found to exhibit maximum electrocatalytic activities in the alkaline electrolytes. The findings, together with a comparison with some well-documented catalysts as well as recent experimental and theoretical modeling results, have revealed important insights into the participation of CO(ad) and OH(ad) on Au sites in the catalytic reaction of Pt in the AuPt alloys with approximately 75% Au. The insights are useful for understanding the correlation of the bifunctional electrocatalytic activity of the bimetallic nanoparticle catalysts with the bimetallic composition and the thermal treatment temperatures.