AuPt Nanoparticles Clusters on MWCNTs with Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity for Methanol Oxidation

Abstract

AuPt nanoparticles clusters (NPCs) were electrodeposited on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The as-prepared AuPt NPCs@MWCNTs nanocomposites exhibited considerably enhanced electrocatalytic activity than Pt NPs@MWCNTs for methanol oxidation in acid medium. In comparison with Pt NPs@MWCNTs, a remarkable resistance to CO poisoning and a higher If/Ib value (the ratio of the forward scan oxidation peak current (If) and reverse scan oxidation peak current (Ib)) was achieved by AuPt NPCs@MWCNTs electrocatalyst, which is attributable to the unique NPCs nanostructure with enlarged electrochemical active surface areas. These results demonstrated the potential of AuPt NPCs@MWCNTs, which can be considered as an efficient electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation in direct methanol fuel cells.