Support effect on electrocatalytic performance of methanol oxidation over platinum catalysts

Abstract

Graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes supported Pt nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by wet chemical reduction method. The structures and methanol oxidation performance of the two catalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (Raman) and electrochemical workstation. The results show that graphene oxide supported Pt nanoparticles exhibits higher electrochemical active surface area, methanol oxidation activity and stability compared with carbon nanotubes. It is proposed that the well dispersed Pt on the graphene oxide plays an important role for the excellent performancefor methanol oxidation.