Investigation of Graphene Supported Platinum-Cobalt Nanocomposites as Electrocatalysts for Ethanol Oxidation

Abstract

In this work graphene supported PtCo catalysts with the Pt:Co molar ratios 1:7 and 1:44 were fabricated by means of the rapid microwave heating method. The surface morphology, structure and composition of the synthesized catalysts were examined by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and inductively coupled optical emission spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic activity of the synthesized catalysts towards the oxidation of ethanol in an alkaline medium was investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry and chrono-techniques. It has been determined that the graphene supported PtCo catalyst with a lower Pt:Co molar ratio 1:7 exhibits a higher electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation reaction of ethanol as compared with those at the graphene supported bare Pt, Co and PtCo catalysts with a higher Pt:Co molar ratio 1:44.