Formation of snowman-like Pt/Pd thin film and Pt/Pd/reduced-graphene oxide thin film at liquid–liquid interface by use of organometallic complexes, suitable for methanol fuel cells

Abstract

A toluene–water planar interface has been used as an ideal template for self-assembly of colloidal Pt/Pd/reduced-graphene oxide (RGO) and Pt/Pd nanohybrids into nano films. The morphologies and structures of the prepared thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX). The electrocatalytical activities of thin films were evaluated using methanol as a model molecule. Pt/Pd/RGO thin film showed highly improved electrocatalytical activity toward methanol oxidation compared with Pt/Pd nanohybrids, Pd, Pd/RGO and Pt nanoparticle thin films.