Polymer wrapping technique: an effective route to prepare Pt nanoflower/carbon nanotube hybrids and application in oxygenreduction

Abstract

We reported an effective and environmentally friendly method of decorating Pt nanoflowers (Pt NFs) on the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). By reduction of K₂PtCl₄ with L-ascorbic acid in an aqueous solution, Pt nanoparticles with a flower-like morphology were deposited onto the surface of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) wrapped CNTs (PSS-CNTs). PSS plays a dual role: dispersing stable CNTs into solution in water, and providing functional groups that bind metal ions and metal nanoparticles. As-prepared Pt NFs/PSS-CNTs showed a large electroactive specific surface area, and presented excellent electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction. Au and Pd nanoparticles could also be deposited on PSS-CNTs. This method could be extended to the synthesis of different kinds of metal nanoparticles on other polymer wrapped CNTs. As-prepared metal nanoparticle/CNT nanocomposites could find use as electrocatalysts in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.