“…1,43,44 For example, the mixed proton/electron-conducting character of RuO 2 nanoskins 1,2 makes them viable candidates as carbon-free, ionomer-free supports for DMFC fuel cell catalysts; 4 such attributes simultaneously simplify anode design and eliminate the problem of carbon corrosion inherent to carbon-supported DMFC catalysts and proton exchange membrane fuel cell catalysts. [45][46][47][48][49][50] Experimental procedure Reagents Chloroplatinic acid hexahydrate (H 2 PtCl 6 6H 2 O, Sigma-Aldrich), sodium sulphate (Na 2 SO 4 , $99%, Sigma-Aldrich), perchloric acid (HClO 4 , 70%, double-distilled, GFS Chemicals), sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 . 99.999%, Sigma-Aldrich), methanol (CH 3 OH, 99.9%, Fisher Scientific), copper sulphate (CuSO 4 , 98%, Alfa Aesar), ultrahigh purity argon (Ar, Praxair), carbon monoxide (CO, 99.999%, AGT), petroleum ether (Fisher Scientific, certified ACS), and ruthenium tetroxide (RuO 4 , 0.5% aqueous solution, Strem Chemicals) were used as received.…”