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Electrochemical investigation of electrodeposited platinum nanoparticles on multi walled carbon nanotubes for methanol electro-oxidation

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Abstract

The electrodeposition of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/fluorine-doped tin oxide glass (FTO) was investigated. Nucleation and growth mechanisms were studied via Scharifker and Hills model. Chronoamperometry results clearly show that the electrodeposition processes are diffusion-controlled and the diffusion coefficient is \(1.5\times 10^{-5 }\,\hbox {cm}^{2}\hbox {/s}\). The semi-spherical particles with lamellar morphology were observed in 1M \(\hbox {H}_{2}\hbox {SO}_{4}\), while a petal shape was discerned in 0.5M \(\hbox {H}_{2}\hbox {SO}_{4}\). Also, dispersion, size, and uniformity of PtNPs were investigated, where the finer distribution of PtNPs with the average size less than 100 nm was obtained in 0.5M \(\hbox {H}_{2}\hbox {SO}_{4}\) solution, and the mean diameter of Pt crystals was 20 nm. Finally, the electro-oxidation of methanol and oxygen reduction studied via cyclic voltammetry showed that as-prepared PtNPs/MWCNTs electrodes had superb electrocatalytic activity.

Graphical Abstract:

Electrodeposition of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/flourine-doped tin oxide glass (FTO) was conducted successfully. The electrodeposition mechanism of PtNPs nucleation and growth on MWCNTs was studied. It was found that fine and well-distributed PtNPs/MWCNTs electrode shows a high electrochemical activity for methanol electro-oxidation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Science and Engineering Department, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Ave., P.O. Box 11155-9466, Tehran, Iran

    Hajar Mokarami Ghartavol, Roozbeh Siavash Moakhar & Abolghasem Dolati

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  1. Hajar Mokarami Ghartavol
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  2. Roozbeh Siavash Moakhar
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  3. Abolghasem Dolati
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Correspondence to Roozbeh Siavash Moakhar.

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Ghartavol, H.M., Moakhar, R.S. & Dolati, A. Electrochemical investigation of electrodeposited platinum nanoparticles on multi walled carbon nanotubes for methanol electro-oxidation. J Chem Sci 129, 1399–1410 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12039-017-1346-7

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