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Facile solvothermal synthesis of Pt-Cu nanocatalyst with improved electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation

Mehmood Muhammad Haris (University of Peshawar, National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, Pakistan)
Tariq Muhammad (University of Peshawar, National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, Pakistan)
Hassan Ayaz (Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC), Brazil)
Raziq Abdul (University of Peshawar, National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, Pakistan)
Rahim Abdur (Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomedical Materials (IRCBM), COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Pakistan)
Khan Jehangeer (University of Peshawar, National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, Pakistan)

A binary metal nanocatalyst of platinum and copper was synthesized using a facile solvothermal process (polyol method). The synthesized catalyst was characterized using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrochemical performance of the synthesized carbon supported binary metal catalyst, Pt–Cu/С, toward methanol oxidation reaction was checked and then compared with the commercial Pt/C (ETEK) catalyst, using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometric techniques. The Pt–Cu/C catalyst was found to be cubic in shape with indentations on the particle surface, having platinum to copper atomic composition of 4:1, i.e., (Pt4Cu). The peak current density for Pt–Cu/C catalyst recorded as 2.3 mA cm-2 at 0.7 V (vs Ag/AgCl) and 50 mV s-1, was two times higher than the current density of the commercially available Pt/C catalyst (1.16 mA cm-2 at 0.76 V). Moreover, the Pt–Cu/C catalyst was found to be more durable than the commercial Pt/C catalyst, as the Pt–Cu/C retained 89 % of its initial current density, while the commercial Pt/C catalyst retained 65 % of its initial current density after 300 potential cycles.

Keywords: cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical activity, chronoamperometry, fuel cells, DMFC