Electrodeposition of PtNPs on the LBL assembled multilayer films of (PDDA-GS/PEDOT:PSS)n and their electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation

Abstract

In the present work, PDDA-functionalized graphene sheets (PDDA-GS) were prepared by reduction with hydrazine hydrate in situ in the presence of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA). The (PDDA-GS/PEDOT:PSS)_n multilayer films were fabricated by a layer-by-layer self-assembly technique based on the electrostatic interaction between positively charged PDDA-GS and negatively charged poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). The self-assembly process was characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis). Pt nanoparticles were electrodeposited in situ on the multilayer films. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were used to characterize the properties of Pt/[(PDDA-GS/PEDOT:PSS)_n] multilayer films. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used to study the electrocatalytic activity of Pt/[(PDDA-GS/PEDOT:PSS)_n] multilayer films towards methanol oxidation. The results indicated that Pt/[(PDDA-GS/PEDOT:PSS)_n] showed high electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation and good tolerance toward carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. This novel support for Pt nanoparticle catalysts will be promising in the fabrication of fuel cell electrodes and other catalytic devices.