Efficient methanol electrooxidation on activated pencil graphite electrode modified with PtCu catalyst

Herein, PtCu supported on activated pencil graphite electrode (APGE) is prepared by a Cu electrodeposition followed by partial galvanic replacement of Cu with Pt atoms. The as-synthesized catalyst (PtCu/APGE) possessing better electrocatalytic performance and higher long-time stability than commercial Pt/C catalyst can be used as a favorable catalyst toward electrooxidation of methanol. The Tafel analysis in agreement with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirms predominance of hydroxyl adsorption in the low potential region and inactive oxide layer formation at high potentials region on the kinetics of methanol oxidation. The obtained remarkable performance of catalysts can be attributed to the APGE as an excellent support for metallic nanoparticles and the cooperative effect of Cu for oxidative removal of poisoning intermediates.