Electro-oxidation of methanol and ethanol using PtRu/C electrocatalysts prepared by spontaneous deposition of platinum on carbon-supported ruthenium nanoparticles

PtRu/C electrocatalysts were prepared by spontaneous deposition of Pt(II) and Pt(IV) ions on carbon-supported ruthenium nanoparticles, characterized by EDAX, TEM, cyclic voltammetry and tested for methanol and ethanol oxidation using the thin porous coating technique. The spontaneous deposition of Pt(II) ions was about two times more effective than Pt(IV) ions. The electrocatalysts were active for methanol and ethanol oxidation. For methanol oxidation good performance was obtained with high platinum coverage and for ethanol oxidation with low platinum coverage.