Open AccessCARBON NANOTUBE/PLATINUM NANOPARTICLE NANOCOMPOSITES: PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND APPLICATION IN ELECTROOXIDATION OF ALCOHOLS
Author(s) -
Adir Hildo Kalinke,
Aldo J. G. Zarbin
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
química nova
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.214
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1678-7064
pISSN - 0100-4042
DOI - 10.5935/0100-4042.20140202
Subject(s) - nanocomposite , carbon nanotube , platinum , characterization (materials science) , platinum nanoparticles , nanoparticle , nanotechnology , materials science , nanotube , chemical engineering , chemistry , catalysis , organic chemistry , engineering
The synthesis and characterization of different platinum nanoparticle/carbon nanotube nanocomposite samples are described along with the application of these nanocomposites as electrocatalysts for alcohol oxidation. Samples were prepared by a biphasic system in which platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) are synthesized in situ in contact with a carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersion. Variables including platinum precursor/CNT ratio, previous chemical treatment of carbon nanotubes, and presence or absence of a capping agent were evaluated and correlated with the characteristic of the synthesized materials. Samples were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Glassy carbon electrodes were modified by the nanocomposite samples and evaluated as electrocatalysts for alcohol oxidation. Current densities of 56.1 and 79.8/104.7 mA cm-2 were determined for the oxidation of methanol and ethanol, respectively