Nanoengineered Pt–V catalysts promote efficient methanol oxidation in carbon nanotubes

In parallel with the developments in the field of energy, research on fuel cells, a renewable energy source, has accelerated. At this rate, the catalysts developed for fuel cells are of great importance. In this study, Platinum (Pt) and Vanadium (V) nanomachines supported on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) were successfully synthesized by the chemical reduction method, as it is a fast method. Alkaline medium was preferred as the buffer solution for the catalysts used in the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). The morphology, particle size, and composition of the synthesized PtV@MWCNT catalysts were analyzed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Raman Spectroscopy, and X-ray Diffractometer (XRD). The particle size of the PtV@MWCNT structure was measured as 4.40 nm and the crystallite size as 1.49 nm according to the Debye-Scherer equation. The MWCNT-supported bimetallic nanocatalysts showed 40.72% higher electrochemical activities compared to the monometallic V catalyst at ambient temperature, with MOR activity higher than that of the Pt structure. The catalytic activity of the PtV@MWCNT nanostructure was times higher than that of the PtV structure. Finally, the high catalytic activity, increased durability, and improved stability of PtV@MWCNT make this catalyst emerge as a promising electrocatalyst for the development of direct alcohol fuel cells. This study yielded innovative results demonstrating the activity of metal V-based bimetallic catalysts in the catalysts required for MOR. The research is highly valuable for fuel cell applications.