Synthesis of PtRu/C-CNTs electrocatalysts for DMFCs with treated-CNTs and composition regulation
Long Quan Dang, Manh Tuan Nguyen, Viet Long Nguyen, Minh Thi Cao, Van Thang Le, Le Hoai Phuong Nguyen, Ngoc Phuong Nguyen, Thanh Hoang Nguyen and Thi Nga Do
Abstract
In the present work, PtRu/C-CNTs catalyst samples were studied for potential applications in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were treated by H2SO4 98% and HNO3 65% at different temperatures and with different stirring periods. As a result, the PtRu/C-CNTs catalyst was successfully synthesized by using H2PtCl6 and RuCl3 precursors with the efficient reduction of NaBH4 agent in ethylene glycol (e.g.). In addition, we controlled the ratios of treated-CNTs on carbon vulcan XC-72 treated-CNTs substrate (C-CNTs) with the different values: 50 wt%, 25 wt%, and 12.5 wt%, respectively. The PtRu/C-CNTs electrocatalyst samples were investigated by experimental methods including x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Importantly, the CV results show the best treated-CNTs and the most suitable ratio of CNTs composition on C-CNTs substrate to be controlled in order to produce various efficient PtRu/C-CNTs catalysts with high catalytic activity for DMFCs
