Electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol with poly(N-acetylaniline) functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes supported pt catalysts

Abstract

A novel process to prepare well-dispersed Pt nanoparticles on poly(N-acetylaniline) functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Pt/PAANI-MWCNTs) using chemical in situ polymerization and reduction is reported. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy as well as Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the catalyst. We found that PAANI can easily immobilize onto the MWCNTs because of a strong interaction with the basal plane of graphite via π-stacking. The Pt particles supported on the PAANI-MWCNTs are uniformly dispersed with a narrow particle size distribution. The electrocatalytic activity of the Pt/PAANI-MWCNTs towards the oxidation of methanol was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results indicate that the Pt/PAANI-MWCNTs catalysts exhibit higher electrocatalytic activity, better antipoisoning ability, and good stability during methanol oxidation in comparison to the Pt/MWCNTs for acid oxidation(Pt/AO-MWCNTs). © Editorial office of Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica.