One-step liquid-phase synthesis of platinum nanocatalysts supported on carbon fiber substrates and their electrochemical characterization

Abstract

Abstract Highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles supported on polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber substrates were prepared using a one-step liquid-phase process. Nanoparticles were grown on the fiber surface via electric resistance heating of the substrate in ethanol solutions containing a platinum-based organometallic complex as the nanoparticle precursor. After the synthesis, Pt nanoparticles were formed on the surface in highly dispersed states. Electrochemical characterization of the Pt nanoparticles was conducted using the substrates directly after synthesis. The Pt nanoparticles were electrochemically active and exhibited superior methanol oxidation properties.