A novel approach for one-step fabrication of platinum-nanoporous gold film via oxygen bubble template with enhanced electrochemical activity

Abstract

A simple method was proposed to deposit a platinum-nanoporous gold film (Pt-NPGF) on a Au surface in absence of binary alloys, chemical reducing agents, and stabilizers using the in-situ generated oxygen bubble template approach. FE-SEM, EDX, and cyclic voltammetry were used for microscopic analysis and electrochemical studies. The small amount of Pt particles presented over the NPGF substantially improved the electrocatalytic activity e.g. for methanol oxidation, as an enhanced current response with low CO poisoning was observed at the Pt-NPGF electrode compared to that of bare Au, Pt, and NPGF electrodes in alkaline solution. Moreover, diffusion-limiting plateau currents corresponding to both H2O2 oxidation and reduction processes were noticed in PBS solution at a Pt-NPGF microelectrode. Keywords: Pt-NPGF, Oxygen bubble template, Electrocatalytic activity, Methanol, Hydrogen peroxide