Synthesis of PtRu Nanowires and Their Catalytic Activity in the Anode of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

PtRu nanowires and nanorods with different alloy extents and aspect ratios were synthesized by impregnating and reducing Pt and Ru precursors using SBA-15 and MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieves as the template, respectively. The results of X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and linear sweep voltammetry demonstrated that the PtRu nanowires synthesized using SBA-15 as the template had a higher alloy extent, a larger aspect ratio, and a better electrocatalytic activity in methanol and sulfuric acid solution than the PtRu nanorods synthesized using MCM-41 template. The effects of alloy extent and aspect ratio of the PtRu electrocatalysts on the catalytic activity and anode performance of direct methanol fuel cells were discussed.