Synthesis and characterization of Cu core Pt–Ru shell nanoparticles for the electro-oxidation of alcohols

Abstract

Cu@PteRu coreeshell supported electrocatalysts have been synthesized by a two-step process via a galvanic displacement reaction. XRD diffraction and EDX analysis, and cyclic voltammetry measurements revealed the presence of nanoparticles composed by a Curich PteCu core surrounded by a Pt-rich PteRu shell. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometric measurements showed that as-synthesized coreeshell materials exhibit superior catalytic activity towards methanol and ethanol electro-oxidation compared to a commercial PteRu/C catalyst with higher Pt loading. This behavior can be associated with the lattice mismatch between the Pt-rich shell and the Cu rich core, which in turn produces lattice-strain, surface ligand effects and a large amount of surface defect sites. In addition, the coreeshell electrodes displayed a better catalytic activity and lower onset potentials for ethanol oxidation than for methanol oxidation.