Self-supported PtAuP alloy nanotube arrays with enhanced activity and stability for methanol electro-oxidation

Abstract

Inhibiting CO formation can more directly address the problem of CO poisoning during methanol electro‐oxidation. In this study, 1D self‐supported porous PtAuP alloy nanotube arrays (ANTAs) are synthesized via a facile electro‐codeposition approach and present enhanced activity and improved resistance to CO poisoning through inhibiting CO formation (non‐CO pathway) during the methanol oxidation reaction in acidic medium. This well‐controlled Pt‐/transition metal‐/nonmetal ternary nanostructure exhibits a specific electroactivity twice as great as that of PtAu alloy nanotube arrays and Pt/C. At the same time, PtAuP ANTAs show a higher ratio of forward peak current density (If) to backward peak current density (Ib) (2.34) than PtAu ANTAs (1.27) and Pt/C (0.78). The prominent If/Ib value of PtAuP ANTAs indicates that most of the intermediate species are electro‐oxidized to carbon dioxide in the forward scan, which highlights the high electroactivity for methanol electro‐oxidation.