Pt-Ru-Ir nanoparticles prepared by vapor deposition as a very efficient anode catalyst for methanol fuel cells

Preparation of Pt-Ru-Ir nanoparticle catalysts on carbon black by a novel vapor deposition method is reported. Particle size as assessed by transmission electron microscopy is ca. 2.5 nm with narrow distribution. Moreover, they are homogeneously dispersed on the substrate. The electrocatalytic activity of the particles toward methanol electro-oxidation was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry at constant potential, and adsorbed CO-stripping voltammetry. It was found that these catalysts possess outstanding activity for methanol electro-oxidation. This is over one order of magnitude higher than in state of the art catalysts. The novel catalysts have the potential to bear significant performance improvement of direct methanol fuel cells. (c) 2006 The Electrochemical Society.