Platinum-modified polyaniline/polysulfone composite film electrodes and their electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation

• Published in: Electrochemistry communications 2007, Vol.9 (1), p.97-102
• Main Authors: Hu, Z.A., Ren, L.J., Feng, X.J., Wang, Y.P., Yang, Y.Y., Shi, J., Mo, L.P., Lei, Z.Q.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Electrocatalytic activity; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Methanol oxidation; PAN/PSF composite film; Preparation; Pt/PAN/PSF electrode
• ISSN: 1388-2481; 1873-1902
• DOI: 10.1016/j.elecom.2006.08.041

The polyaniline/polysulfone (PAN/PSF) composite films were prepared by electropolymerization, and then platinum was deposited into this composite film to obtain the platinum-modified polyaniline/polysulfone(Pt/PAN/PSF) composite film electrodes. Their component, morphology and structure were characterized by FTIR spectra, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results show that the composite film has a bi-layer structure with asymmetrical pores, and the platinum particles are homogeneously dispersed in the modified film electrodes. The cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques were applied to investigate the electrochemical properties and the electrocatalytic activity of the modified film electrodes, which show a promotive action for methanol oxidation and the methanol oxidation under a diffusion-controlled process.