Synthesis of ordered macroporous Pt/Ru nanocomposites for the electrooxidation of methanol

Highly catalytic PtRu catalysts with different molar ratios of Pt to Ru have been synthesized by using the inverted colloidal crystals template technique. Three-dimensional ordered Pt/Ru alloys with pore size of 320 nm could be conveniently obtained by electrochemical codeposition of metal precursors inside the voids of the template. The structural and chemical properties of the macroporous catalysts were studied by using SEM, XPS and XRD methods. The decomposition and oxidation of methanol on the macroporous catalyst surfaces with different Pt and Ru molar ratios (Pt100Ru0, Pt90Ru10, Pt80Ru20, Pt70Ru30 and Pt56Ru44) were systemically discussed. Potentiostatic experiments showed that the special structure characteristics (e.g., interconnected pore framework and the flexible curvature) lead to enhanced methanol oxidation efficiency on the macroporous materials as compared to the directly deposited catalyst. These results demonstrate that the three-dimensional ordered porous bimetallic catalysts are promising alternatives for developing high performance DMFC anodic catalysts, especially for the fabrication of microfuel cells.