Rapid preparation of Pt-Ru/graphitic carbon nanofiber nanocomposites as DMFC anode catalysts using microwave processing.

Pt-Ru/graphitic carbon nanofiber (GCNF) nanocomposites have been prepared on two different GCNF supports, with the use of a bimetallic precursor as a source of metal and microwave processing for thermal treatments. Pt-Ru nanoparticles appear as the major metal-containing component of these nanocomposites along with variable trace amounts of Ru metal. Use of microwave heating permits rapid preparation of these nanocomposites and affords metal nanoclusters of nearly uniform size. The performance of these nanocomposites as anode electrocatalysts in direct-methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) is compared with that of unsupported Pt-Ru colloid at identical total metal loading. The Pt-Ru/narrow tubular herringbone GCNF nanocomposite shows DMFC performance comparable to that recorded for an unsupported Pt-Ru colloid.