Development of non-covalent ternary polymer–CNT composites as a novel supporting material for electrooxidation of glycerol

Abstract

The present study is focused on the development of a novel ternary polymer–CNT composite (ATCP–CP–BZD–CNT) by using three different monomers namely amine terminated cyclophosphazene (ATCP), hexachlorocyclotri-phosphazene (CP) and 2,2′-benzidinedisulfonic acid (BZD) as a novel catalyst support for biobased alcohol fuel cell applications. In this regard, Pt and Pt–Sn nanoparticles were deposited on the ATCP–CP–BZD–CNT composite material through a formaldehyde reduction method using hexachloroplatinic acid hexahydrate and stannous(II) chloride as metal precursor materials. The platinum nanoparticles and platinum–tin loaded ATCP–CP–BZD–CNT composites were characterized by various analytic techniques. The activity and stability of the Pt/ATCP–CP–BZD–CNT and Pt–Sn/ATCP–CP–BZD–CNT catalysts were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques in the presence of 0.5 M glycerol and 0.5 M KOH solution. From the results, it has been concluded that the Pt/ATCP–CP–BZD–CNT and Pt–Sn/ATCP–CP–BZD–CNT electrocatalysts exhibit significant higher anodic oxidation current and lower onset potential when compared to those of Pt loaded Vulcan carbon and CNT materials. The various experimental studies demonstrate that the ATCP–CP–BZD–CNT composite shows a huge impact on the physicochemical properties of Pt/ATCP–CP–BZD–CNT and Pt–Sn/ATCP–CP–BZD–CNT catalysts for the electrooxidation of glycerol. Furthermore, the cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry analysis of glycerol in alkaline medium concludes that the Pt/ATCP–CP–BZD–CNT and Pt–Sn/ATCP–CP–BZD–CNT catalysts are still electroactive even after the completion of 100 cycles of various scan potentials.