Ultrahigh durable PtPd/C nanowire networks catalyst synthesized by modified phase transfer method for methanol oxidation

A novel PtPd/C nanowire catalyst with interconnected network and fewer great grain boundaries has been successfully prepared by templateless and modified phase-transfer method using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a capping in ethylene glycol solution by microwave-assisted process. Its structure, composition, and morphology are characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive analysis of X-ray, and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The electrochemical measurements demonstrate that the highly dispersed and uniform PtPd/C nanowire networks catalyst has a significantly higher electrocatalytic activity and durability for the methanol oxidation as compared to solid solution PtPd/C. The greatly improved durability of PtPd/C nanowire networks catalyst is mainly a consequence of the unique interconnected network structure with fewer grain boundaries, which provide more facile pathway for the electron transfer, and inhibit the particle growth and agglomeration, as well as prevent the particles embedded in the microporous of carbon support to enhance the Pt utilization.