Issue 6, 2014

A wavy graphene/platinum hybrid with increased electroactivity for the methanol oxidation reaction

Abstract

Two distinct graphene sheets, highly flat graphene and wavy graphene, were used as support materials for in situ nucleation and growth of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) to synthesize graphene/Pt catalysts. The average size of Pt NPs on the wavy graphene sheets is around 2 nm and is smaller than those on the flat graphene sheets. The electrochemical activity of the two as-prepared catalysts towards methanol oxidation was investigated and compared with that of a commercial Pt/carbon black (Pt/C) catalyst, and electrochemical results showed that the wavy graphene/Pt catalyst possessed the best poison tolerance and comparable electrochemical surface area to the commercial Pt/C catalyst. The wavy microstructure is believed to be responsible for the stable dispensability of the as-prepared wavy graphene and the acquisition of small size Pt NPs, since the abundant ripples coming from the wavy microstructure effectively prevent the aggregation of the graphene sheets, and also act as barriers to prevent agglomeration of Pt NPs during their in situ nucleation and growth process. This work indicates that the microstructure of the supporting material plays a crucial role in the electrochemical performance of platinum-based catalysts.

Graphical abstract: A wavy graphene/platinum hybrid with increased electroactivity for the methanol oxidation reaction

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
15 Oct 2013
Accepted
26 Nov 2013
First published
26 Nov 2013

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2014,2, 1940-1946

A wavy graphene/platinum hybrid with increased electroactivity for the methanol oxidation reaction

J. Shao, Z. Li, C. Zhang, L. Zhang and Q. Yang, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2014, 2, 1940 DOI: 10.1039/C3TA14134A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements