Electrooxidation of methanol on Pt–Ru catalysts supported by basal plane graphite in phosphoric acid solution

The electrooxidation of methanol on Pt–Ru catalyst supported by basal plane graphite was investigated in phosphoric acid solution by cyclic voltammetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Pt–Ru catalysts were prepared by applying a potential of 0.0 V in chloroplatinic acid solution of various ruthenium chloride concentrations. The peak potential of methanol oxidation is shifted to a lower potential as the concentration ratio of Ru/Pt in the electrodeposition solution. Shifts of peak potential are due to the difference of the oxidation pathway of CO adsorbed on the surface of Pt–Ru catalyst. For methanol oxidation in phosphoric acid solution, the electrocatalytic activity of the catalyst prepared in ruthenium chloride solutions of chloroplatinic acid solution (1:1) was better than that of catalysts prepared in different concentrations of ruthenium chloride solution.