Synthesis and characterization of platinum nanoparticles on carbon nanosheets with enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation

• Published in: Applied surface science 2012-10, Vol.259, p.219-224
• Main Authors: Wang, Zhipeng, Shoji, Mao, Ogata, Hironori
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Carbon nanosheets; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electrodeposition; Exact sciences and technology; Graphene; Methanol oxidation; Methyl alcohol; Nanoparticles; Nanostructure; Oxidation; Physics; Platinum; Platinum nanoparticles; Surface chemistry; X-rays
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2012.07.022

► The CNS-supported Pt NPs have been firstly synthesized by one-step electrodeposition. ► The as-synthesized Pt NPs included mainly the metallic Pt of 68.9%, which plays a main role in methanol oxidation. ► The Pt/CNSs exhibited better electrocatalytic performance than the Pt/SWNTs fabricated under same conditions. ► The CNSs are promising catalyst support for fuel cells. This report describes carbon nanosheets (CNSs) were employed as a catalyst support for loading platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) by one-step electrodeposition. The structure, size, and chemical composition of the CNS-supported Pt NPs (Pt/CNSs) were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopies, energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. The electrocatalytic performances of the Pt/CNSs for methanol oxidation have been investigated by cycle votammetry and chronoamperometry. These results demonstrated the Pt/CNSs possess high electrocatalytic activity and excellent stability due to high dispersion of Pt NPs on the CNS surface and the special nature properties of CNSs. The Pt/CNSs should be a promising electrocatalyst in direct methanol fuel cells.