Co@Pt-Ru core-shell nanoparticles supported on multiwalled carbon nanotube for methanol oxidation

A novel synthesis route concerning reduction of cobalt core onto the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and then substitution of part of Co core with Pt-Ru precursor was developed to synthesize the core-shell Co@Pt-Ru/MWCNTs catalyst. In this synthesis route, sodium borohydride and hydrazine hydrate were employed to reduce cobalt step by step in order to control the size of cobalt and the growth speed of cobalt crystal. The novel core-shell Co@Pt-Ru/MWCNTs catalyst shows good electrocatalysis towards methanol oxidation. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.