In Situ Ru K-Edge X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study of Methanol Oxidation Mechanisms on Model Submonolayer Ru on Pt Nanoparticle Electrocatalyst

Abstract

In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) with electrochemical reaction control has enabled a detailed investigation of the mechanism of the methanol electrooxidation by a bimetallic PtRu catalyst. By the use of an original electrodeposition technique, ca. 0.3 monolayer of Ru was deposited on the surface of unsupported Pt nanoparticles (Ru@Pt). The presence of Ru atoms only at the surface of nanoparticles turns a bulk sensitive XAS technique into a surface methodology which permits correlation of the X-ray absorption fine structure at the Ru K-edge to the role of Ru atoms in the methanol oxidation process. In situ XAS spectra of the Ru@Pt nanoparticles were collected at various electrode potentials in background electrolyte, and then in 1 M solution of methanol (CH3OH) in the same electrolyte. Significant differences in the catalyst state have been revealed between these two environments. In the background electrolyte, Ru gradually oxidizes from mostly metallic to a Ru(III)/Ru(IV) mixture at the highest potentials. In the presence of CH3OH, the Ru oxidation state remains a mixture of metallic and Ru(III) even at the highest potentials. CO-type species were found adsorbed on Ru atoms at all potentials and coadsorbed with OH species at potentials 0.175 V vs Ag/AgCl and higher with steady number of near neighbors. The same potential correlates to the beginning of methanol oxidation reaction observed electrochemically. Therefore coadsorption of CO and OH groups on Ru atoms appears to be critical in the methanol oxidation process. The need for OH groups for CO removal from Pt sites was previously suggested by the bifunctional CH3OH oxidation mechanism; however, occupancy of Ru atoms with CO species and direct structural observations of the coadsorption of CO and OH on the same Ru atom is a novel finding resulting from this study. Other changes in the catalyst environment were observed, including decreased Ru–Ru and Ru–Pt bond distances, increased numbers of Ru–Pt near neighbors, and decreased number of Ru–Ru near neighbors.