Platinum nanoparticles supported on a bi-metal oxide grown carbon nanostructure as an ethanol electro-oxidation electrocatalyst

Abstract

The development of inexpensive and highly active ethanol electro-oxidation electrocatalysts is a great challenge. Here, we report a novel material consisting of platinum dispersed on a bi-metal oxide grown carbon nanostructure as an ethanol electro-oxidation electrocatalyst. The carbon nanostructure has been synthesized by the catalytic chemical vapour deposition of acetylene precursor over Fe–Sn–O particles. Platinum (Pt) nanoparticles have been decorated on a bi-metal oxide grown carbon nanostructure (CNS–FSO) by the polyol reduction technique. The suitability of the electrocatalyst for ethanol electro-oxidation is examined by cyclic voltammetry and amperometry techniques. Pt supported on CNS–FSO exhibited a higher catalytic activity towards ethanol electro-oxidation in comparison to commercially available platinum on Vulcan XC-72 and platinum nanoparticles decorated functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes. This superior activity can be attributed to the unique properties of CNS–FSO as well as the synergic effect between platinum and CNS–FSO.