Synthesis of PtCoNiRu/C nanoparticles by spray drying combined with reduction sintering for methanol electro-oxidation.

The controllable synthesis of carbon-supported platinum-based multicomponent alloys is important for the development and application of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). In this paper, controllable synthesis of carbon-supported PtCoNiRu quaternary alloy is realized by spray drying and reduction sintering. The effects of reduction temperature on the size, morphology and catalytic properties of the metal nanoparticles were investigated. The electrochemical performance of the as-synthesized PtCoNiRu/C catalysts towards methanol electro-oxidation was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry. The results show that metal nanoparticles with uniform size and dispersity on the carbon surface can be obtained at a suitable sintering temperature, while the catalyst has a higher electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) and shows better catalytic activity and stability for methanol electro-oxidation. The method described in this study provides a new route for the manufacture of Pt alloy nanoparticles with higher catalytic activity and stability.