Cubic-like PtCuRu Nanocrystals with High Activity and Stability for Methanol Electro-oxidation

Abstract

Porous cubic-like PtCu and PtCuRu nanocrystals, which had a similar porous three-dimensional structure, were successfully prepared via the one-pot method. During the growth of the nanocrystals, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and ascorbic acid were employed as the structure director and assistant reducing agent, respectively. The structure and possible formation of the nanocrystals were investigated. It is worth mentioning that the PtCuRu nanocrystals demonstrated a much better methanol electro-oxidation ability and ultrahigh stability, which displayed 3.4- and 3-fold higher specific and mass activity, respectively, than the commercial Pt/C. The advantage of PtCuRu nanocrystals was possibly ascribed to the synergistic effect of Cu and the porous structure and, more importantly, the presence of Ru that could more efficiently eliminate the harmful intermediates.