Pt supported on Nanostructured NCNTs/RGO Composite Electrodes for Methanol Electrooxidation

Abstract

Abstract Composites consisting of N‐doped carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide (NCNTs/RGO) are prepared directly on carbon cloth (CC) via H 2 ‐assisted thermal reduction of graphene oxide (GO) followed by chemical vapor deposition of NCNTs to form NCNTs/RGO/CC. Pt nanoparticles are uniformly electrodeposited onto these nanostructured composite electrodes. The success of each preparation step is verified by Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively, indicating dense and homogeneous distribution of NCNTs and Pt. The resulting composite electrode exhibits enhanced mass specific activity for methanol oxidation in comparison to Pt‐NCNTs/CC (without RGO), as evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. The ratio of the forward to backward peak current values ( i f / i b ) and the CO ad stripping voltammetry reveal high tolerance of Pt‐NCNTs/RGO/CC towards poisoning in comparison to Pt‐NCNTs/CC or literature reports, leading to an efficient methanol electrooxidation.