Ternary Pt-based nanoparticles ͑nominal composition Pt 80 Ru 10 Sn 10 ͒ were synthesized via the microemulsion route and deposited onto boron-doped diamond ͑BDD͒ electrode. The particle size measured by transmission electron microscopy was in the 2-5 nm diam range. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed a slightly different surface composition from that of the bulk and showed no chemical shift of the Pt 4f 7/2 line in ternary Pt/Ru/Sn nanoparticles. For both methanol and ethanol electro-oxidation, the ternary catalyst exhibited lower onset potentials than either pure Pt or the corresponding bimetallic ͑Pt/Ru and Pt/Sn͒ catalysts. The ternary Pt/Ru/Sn catalyst was more efficient for methanol oxidation than for complete oxidation of ethanol, because ethanol electro-oxidation was stopped at acetaldehyde and/or acetic acid formation, the ternary catalyst being unable to activate the C-C bond scission.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract