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Pt nanotube network with high activity for methanol oxidation

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Abstract

Electrocatalysts with high performance, increased stability, and high surface area are essential for the widespread commercialization of fuel cells. Nanostructured materials emerge as potential candidates to meet these targets. We report on the synthesis and characterization of a nanostructured platinum electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation. Using a simple, one-step electroless method, an interconnected platinum nanotube network was prepared. The highly ordered, high-surface-area catalyst exhibited enhanced current density and durability for methanol oxidation. The catalyst shows a peak current density of 1.43 mA cm−2 at 50 mV s−1 and retained 25% of its initial activity after 1 h. The high catalytic activity is a result of increased Pt–OH formation on nanocrystal aggregates at lower potentials.

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Acknowledgements

This research is supported by Science Foundation Ireland grant number 12/IP/1692 and the HEA PRTLI4 programme (INSPIRE). The authors are thankful to Professor Edmond Magner, Professor Noel Buckley, and their teams for access to characterization facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94T9PX, Ireland

    Cian McKeown & Fernando M. F. Rhen

  2. Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94T9PX, Ireland

    Cian McKeown & Fernando M. F. Rhen

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  1. Cian McKeown
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  2. Fernando M. F. Rhen
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Correspondence to Fernando M. F. Rhen.

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McKeown, C., Rhen, F.M.F. Pt nanotube network with high activity for methanol oxidation. J Appl Electrochem 48, 165–173 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-017-1141-7

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