Synthesis and characterization of carbon-supported Pt–Ru–WOx catalysts by spectroscopic and diffraction methods

Carbon-supported Pt–Ru–WOx/C catalysts for application in PEMFC anodes were synthesized by a modified Bönnemann method. Their electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of H2/CO mixtures and CH3OH was measured by E/i-curves in PEM single cell arrangements under working conditions. Information about composition, microstructure and nanomorphology was obtained by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence analysis (XFA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). X-ray diffraction data at room temperature show only one single Pt f.c.c. phase; no evidence of Ru, W and their oxides, respectively, is found. Hence, the presence of W and Ru as amorphous oxide species seems likely. Surface-sensitive XPS measurements detect Pt0, platinum oxide and hydroxide species, metallic Ru, ruthenium oxide, hydrous ruthenium oxide and WO3. For the crystalline platinum phase particle sizes of less than 2 nm were determined by TEM images and XRD patterns via solving the Scherrer equation. Temperature-dependent XRD measurements were performed to show the influence of ageing on the catalyst structure.