Platinum‐Decorated Ruthenium Nanoparticles for Enhanced Methanol Electrooxidation

Abstract A promising electrocatalyst based on the reduction of Pt 2+ ions on the surface of hexagonally close‐packed (hcp) Ru core nanoparticles has been prepared by a redox–transmetalation process. This simple synthetic process generates a Pt‐on‐Ru catalyst with a lower Pt content than commercially available PtRu electrocatalysts and with a long‐range ordered hcp structure, which can significantly reduce the Pt loading. X‐Ray absorption spectroscopy of the Pt‐on‐Ru catalyst reveals pronounced electronic modifications when compared to the commercial PtRu black catalyst. The Pt‐on‐Ru catalyst exhibits a higher mass‐specific current than the PtRu black catalyst in solution in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 with 10 vol. % CH 3 OH under the conditions of rotating disk experiments. Further optimization of this synthetic procedure may yield even more active electrocatalysts with a significant reduction in noble metal loadings.