Block Copolymer Templated Synthesis of Core–Shell PtAu Bimetallic Nanocatalysts for the Methanol Oxidation Reaction

• DOI: 10.1021/cm5026798
• Publication Date: 2014-11-10T21:39:24Z
• Authors: Kyle Mikkelsen; Blake Cassidy; Nicole Hofstetter; Leah Bergquist; Audrey Taylor; David A. Rider
• Keywords: Nanomaterial-based catalyst; Bimetallic strip; Methanol fuel; Noble metal

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are an attractive portable energy technology due to their low operating temperatures, high-energy conversion efficiency, and lower pollutant production. For over a half-century, the default electrocatalyst for DMFCs has been platinum (Pt). The barriers widespread deployment of DMFCs, however, largely linked cost this precious metal its propensity become poisoned in role as anode catalyst oxidation methanol. Bimetallic platinum–gold (PtAu) catalysts, offer superior activity can operate with increased electrocatalytic stability resistance poisoning. Here, we demonstrate block copolymer template strategy preparation arrays clusters PtAu nanocatalysts tailored composition, particle density, electrochemical activity. A detailed characterization by XPS, TEM, EDX, electrochemistry was used assign core–shell nanostructure 3 nm that constitute clusters. Pt-rich approximately 2–4-fold current Pt benchmark (ETEK), only 28% less than PtRu bimetallic (XC-72R), and, comparison these same exhibited 2- 3-fold increase metric tolerance carbonaceous poisoning (If/Ib ratio).