Preparation of Pt-Ru bimetallic catalyst supported on carbon nanotubes

The hollow uniform cylindrical carbon nanotubes were prepared using carbonization of polyphenyl acetylene. The outer diameter of the nanotube was almost equal to pore diameter of the template used. The Pt-Ru nanoparticles were dispersed inside the tube and were investigated using high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The carbon-hydrogen bonds were broken during the thermal treatment. The Pt-Ru encapsulated carbon nanotube acts as bimetallic catalysts in direct methanol fuel cells. The particles trapped inside the tube appear quite stable even after the vigorous treatment of the composite in concentrated HF.