Methanol as the modifier of nanostructured Pt Films for enhenced electrocatalytic methanol oxidation reaction electrocatalysis

Abstract

A rough Pt films (Ptmeth) were electrodeposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in a methanol-containing aqueous bath for electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrochemistry techniques were used to characterize the Pt films. Comparing to the conventional Pt films which electrodeposited in a methanol-free aqueous bath (Ptcom/GCE), the Ptmeth/GCE exhibits an improved electrocatalytic activity and poisoning-tolerance towards electrooxidation of methanol. The mechanism responsible for the improved performance has been discussed, and the principle can be extended for electrochemical preparation of other catalytic films in the energy and catalysis fields.