Enhancement of Activity of PtRu Nanoparticles Towards Oxidation of Ethanol by Supporting on Poly(diallyldimethylammonium)-Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes and Modification with Phosphomolybdate

Abstract

A new concept of fabrication, immobilization, and distribution of bimetallic PtRu nanoparticles leading to enhancement of the electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol is proposed. The approach utilizes poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), PDDA, to functionalize multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and to produce a novel support for synthesized PtRu nanoparticles as well as further modification of the catalytic surfaces with ultra-thin layers of phosphododecamolybdate (PMo 12O 403-). Remarkable increases of electrocatalytic currents measured under voltammetric and chronoamperometric conditions have been observed. Parallel experiments performed with use of commercial PtRu nanoparticles confirm existence of enhancement effects originating from application of PDDA-modified MWCNTs and phosphomolybdate. © 2010 The Author(s).