Chitosan-functionalized carbon nanotubes as support for the high dispersion of PtRu nanoparticles and their electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were non-covalently functionalized with chitosan (Chit) and then employed as the support for PtRu nanoparticles. The functionalization was carried out at room temperature without the use of corrosive acids, thereby preserving the integrity and the electronic conductivity of the CNTs. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that PtRu nanoparticles were highly dispersed on the surface of Chit-functionalized CNTs (CNT-Chit) with small particle-size. Cyclic voltammetry studies indicated that the PtRu nanoparticle/CNT-Chit nanohybrids have a higher electrochemical surface area, electrocatalytic performance, and stability towards methanol oxidation compared to PtRu nanoparticles supported on the pristine CNTs.