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High‐Performance Visible‐Light‐Driven Pt/CdS/Graphene Photoelectrocatalysts for Methanol Oxidation
Author(s) -
Zhai Chunyang,
Hu Jiayue,
Sun Mingjuan,
Zhu Mingshan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
energy technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.91
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 2194-4296
pISSN - 2194-4288
DOI - 10.1002/ente.201600637
Subject(s) - graphene , materials science , catalysis , photocatalysis , nanoclusters , anode , visible spectrum , ternary operation , oxide , methanol , nanoparticle , chemical engineering , electrode , cadmium sulfide , nanomaterials , nanotechnology , chemistry , optoelectronics , metallurgy , organic chemistry , computer science , engineering , biochemistry , programming language
Fuel cells, as a technology for the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy, have been recognized as a promising sustainable power source. Traditional electrocatalysts, together with optically active semiconductors, have been selected as promising catalysts for the improvement of anodic reactions. Herein, cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoclusters decorated on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets were obtained by using a one‐pot solvothermal method and then applied as photoactivated supports for the deposition of Pt nanoparticles. The ternary‐composite‐modified electrode displayed much higher catalytic properties for methanol oxidation than a binary Pt/CdS electrode. Interestingly, when the as‐prepared Pt/CdS/RGO electrode was irradiated with visible light, both the catalytic activity and the stability were improved greatly. The synergistic effect of RGO nanosheets and photoirradiation promoted electrocatalytic performance and stability. Our results provide new insight into the development of highly efficient photoelectrocatalysts for applications in direct methanol fuel cells in the presence of visible‐light illumination.