Facile synthesis of alloyed PtNi/CNTs electrocatalyst with enhanced catalytic activity and stability for methanol oxidation

Pt-based alloy electrocatalysts, PtNi/CNTs and PtNi, were synthesized through facile chemical reduction reaction for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). Morphology, structure and composition of the PtNi/CNTs and PtNi electrocatalysts were physical characterized by the means of SEM, EDS, XRD and XPS. The catalytic activity, stability and durability of the obtained electrocatalysts were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperrometric i-t cueves (i-t). The PtNi catalysts nanoparticles (NPs) obtained around 20 nm were homogenous distribution of two metal elements, and PtNi were well doped on the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for PtNi/CNTs catalysts. The incorporation of Ni and high surface area of CNTs make the PtNi/CNTs and PtNi catalysts showing high eletrocatalytic activity for MOR. Furthermore, both PtNi/CNTs and PtNi electrocatalysts exhibit outstanding stability and durability at room temperature in acidic medium. This research provides positive guidance to prepare high performance and excellent stability electrocatalysts for MOR.