Pt nanoparticles grown on 3D RuO2-modified graphene architectures for highly efficient methanol oxidation

Abstract

Platinum-based electrode catalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction are at the heart of direct methanol fuel cell technology, while their high cost and short lifespan have greatly hindered their large-scale commercial application. Herein, we put forward a facile self-assembly approach to construct 3D porous electrocatalysts made from ultrafine Pt nanoparticles, RuO₂ and graphene aerogels. Benefiting from the unique textural features as well as remarkable synergetic effect, the resulting 3D Pt/RuO₂/graphene architectures possess exceptional electrocatalytic performance in terms of surprisingly high activity, strong anti-poisoning ability and reliable stability toward methanol electrooxidation, holding great potential as substitutes for conventional Pt/carbon catalysts. This study may offer new insights for the development of various 3D metal oxide-modified graphene supported catalysts for a wide range of applications in the near future.