Saccharide-based graphitic carbon nanocoils as supports for PtRu nanoparticles for methanol electrooxidation

Highly graphitic carbon nanocoils were synthesised from the catalytic graphitization of carbon spherules obtained by the hydrothemal treatment of different saccharides (sucrose, glucose and starch). This nanostructured carbon was characterized by X-ray power diffraction, N₂ adsorption and microscopy techniques (SEM and TEM). The carbon nanocoils were used as a support for PtRu nanoparticles, which were well-dispersed over the carbon surface. This catalytic system was investigated for use as an electrocatalyst for methanol electrooxidation in an acid medium. The experiments were carried out at two working temperatures (25 °C and 60 °C). It was found that the carbon nanocoils supporting PtRu nanoparticles exhibit a high catalytic activity, which is even higher than that of conventional carbon supports (Vulcan XC-72R). We believe that the high electrocatalytic activity of the carbon nanocoils presented here is due to the combination of a good electrical conductivity, derived from their graphitic structure, and a wide porosity that allows the diffusional resistances of reactants/products to be minimized.