Ultrafine bimetallic alloy supported on nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide toward liquid-fuel oxidation: Profile of improved performance and extended durability

Herein, the ultrafine bimetallic alloy supported on nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide (PtCu/NrGO) has been developed via wet-reflux strategy and applied as potential catalyst for electro-oxidation of liquid fuels in direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). Possible conversion to PtCu/NrGO from the precursor materials was established in detail using transmission electron microscope (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS). The coupled structure of PtCu along with NrGO endowed an efficient catalyst with excellent catalytic activity and stability toward electro-oxidation of various alcohols compared to commercial Pt/C in acidic electrolyte. PtCu/NrGO exhibits the mass activity of 0.917, 0.620 and 0.495 A/mg_Pt toward the electro-oxidation of methanol, ethylene glycol and glycerol, about 6.8, 6.3 and 8.6 fold increment compared to Pt/C catalyst, respectively. Besides, PtCu/NrGO shows excellent durability with less activity decay even after 500 cycles.