Activity and Durability of Ternary PtRuIr∕C for Methanol Electro-oxidation

Carbon supported Pt 1 Ru 1 Ir x 0 x 2 nanoparticles were prepared by a coimpregnation reductive pyrolysis method and their electrocatalytic activity toward methanol electro-oxidation at 25, 40, and 60C was investigated. The mass activity current normalized by the mass of Pt for methanol electro-oxidation increased as a function of Ir content and cell temperature. Despite the increase in methanol electro-oxidation activity, the addition of Ir does not affect the CO tolerance of the ternary electrocatalyst. The addition of Ir also enhances the durability of the catalyst. The enhancement in activity and durability is discussed based on CO stripping measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the catalysts.