Enhanced methanol electrooxidation catalysis via dual modulation of PtCu alloy and oxygen vacancies

Achieved by introducing defect sites, enhances both the catalytic activity and stability of catalysts. This is crucial for advancing key applications in energy conversion and environmental protection. Here, we introduce a novel Pt-Cu@CeO 2 /MWCNTs electrocatalyst prepared by dual modulation of the oxygen vacancy anchoring point and the center of the alloying d-band. This catalyst significantly boosts the rate of methanol oxidation. The Pt-Cu@CeO 2 /MWCNTs catalyst demonstrates a mass activity 3.7 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C, along with exceptional durability. The electron transfer between the PtCu alloy and the oxygen vacancies effectively modulates the d-band center of Pt, leading to a “volcano” relationship between the catalyst’s mass activity and the d-band center. This study advances the development of methanol electrooxidation catalysts by introducing a novel “double enhancement effect” model.