Multiple cyclic voltammetry of noble-metal-based alloy electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation: Revealing a universal criterion of auxiliary metal selection and a new mechanism of activity enhancement

•We have conducted MCV on seven common methanol oxidation catalysts.•A new mechanism of activity enhancement by MCV was revealed for the first time.•The criteria for the application of the MCV strategy were presented.•Pt-Sn and Pd-CoSn using the MCV strategy exhibited excellent MOR performance.