Abstract
The electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of Ni-Pt codeposits for methanol oxidation in an alkaline medium were characterized by cyclic voltammetry. The Ni-Pt codeposit with ca. Pt 60 a/o was found to exhibit the maximal activity for the oxidation of methanol in the low potential range. The electrocatalytic activity of all Ni-Pt codeposits (before and after leaching) for methanol oxidation was found to depend on their original compositions/textural properties before leaching. The hydroxyl Pt(IV) species with a higher hydrated property possessed a higher activity for the methanol oxidation and oxygen evolution reactions (OER). The presence of a hydroxyplatinum intermediate, Pt(OH)(ads), was proposed to be responsible for the anodic peaks of methanol oxidation in the less positive potential region on both positive and negative sweeps.