Abstract
In this work, we describe a facile single-step approach for the simultaneous reduction of graphene oxide to graphene, functional doping of graphene with nitrogen, and loading of the doped graphene with well-dispersed platinum (Pt) nanoparticles using a solvent mixture of ethylene glycol and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The as-prepared Pt/nitrogen-doped graphene (N-graphene) catalysts are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy while the electrocatalytic methanol oxidation properties of the catalysts are evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Compared with an updoped Pt/graphene control catalyst, the Pt/N-graphene catalyst shows a narrower particle size distribution and improved catalytic performance. Considering the facile, green and effective single-step synthetic process for the Pt/N-graphene catalyst, the results are promising for the potential application of these materials in emerging fuel cell technologies.
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This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21003075), the Basic Research Program (Natural Science Foundation) of Jiangsu Province of China (No. BK2010558), the National Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of China (No. 51025209), and the US Army Research Office under grant #W911NF-09-1-0528.
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Zhao, Y., Zhou, Y., Xiong, B. et al. Facile single-step preparation of Pt/N-graphene catalysts with improved methanol electrooxidation activity. J Solid State Electrochem 17, 1089–1098 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-012-1968-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-012-1968-0