Synthesis of monodispersed Pt nanoparticles on plasma processed carbon nanotubes for methanol electro-oxidation reaction

Abstract

Plasma-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been used as a substrate for the deposition of Pt nanoparticles. These Pt nanoparticles deposited on MWCNTs showed a higher catalytic activity in a methanol electro-oxidation reaction even with a lower amount of precious metal catalyst used. The higher catalytic activity is attributed to less damage of the carbon nanotubes during plasma treatment. It also shows that direct contact between metal nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes can improve the performance of composites.