Method for preparing a carbon-supported, platinum-transition metal alloy nanoparticle fuel cell catalyst

A method for preparing a carbon-supported, platinum-transition metal alloy nanoparticle fuel cell catalyst, comprising:

• (a) mixing a solution containing a platinum precursor, a transition metal precursor, carbon, a stabilizer, and a reducing agent to provide a first mixture containing platinum-transition metal alloy nanoparticles supported on the carbon, and washing and drying the first mixture to obtain dried carbon-supported platinum-transition metal alloy nanoparticles;
• (b) treating the dried carbon-supported platinum-transition metal alloy nanoparticles with a dilute solution of acetic acid in ethanol to provide a second mixture containing acetic acid-treated nanoparticles supported on the carbon, and washing and drying the second mixture to provide dry acetic acid-treated nanoparticles;
• and
• (c) annealing the dry acetic acid-treated nanoparticles to provide said carbon-supported, platinum-transition metal alloy nanoparticle fuel cell catalyst.