Electrooxidation of Methanol on Carbon Supported Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract

Activated carbon supported gold nanoparticles (Au/C) were prepared by a chemical reduction process using NaBH 4 as a reducing agent. The characterization of transmission electron microscope indicated that the Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the Au/C catalyst were highly well dispersed on the carbon support. The catalytic activity of the Au/C catalyst for the methanol electrooxidation (MEO) was investigated by the cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results displayed that the Au/C catalyst exhibited a favorable catalytic activity towards the MEO in alkaline solution. Moreover, the competitive adsorption between OH - and CH 3 OH on the surface of the AuNPs in the Au/C catalyst existed in the course of the MEO. Based on this competitive adsorption, the mechanism of the MEO on the Au/C catalyst was further investigated.