The combination of Pt and Ru creates a synergistic effect that enhances the catalytic activity and stability of the alloy. Platinum is renowned for its excellent catalytic properties, but it can be limited by issues such as poisoning and high cost. Adding ruthenium helps mitigate these issues by improving resistance to poisoning and reducing the overall cost. Additionally, Ru enhances the alloy's ability to catalyze certain reactions that Pt alone cannot effectively perform.
