An Investigation of Methyl Viologen Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide: Chitosan as a Support for Pt Nanoparticles Towards Ethanol Electrooxidation

Abstract

In this research, graphene oxide was prepared by a modified Hummers’ method, and then functionalized with 1, 1′-dimethyl-4, 4′-bipyridinium dichloride (MV), and chitosan (CH) to get a MV–RGO–CH support. Pt nanoparticles were prepared on this support to get Pt/MV–RGO–CH catalyst. The morphology and microstructure of Pt/MV–RGO–CH catalyst were characterized with transmission electron microscopy image and X-ray diffraction analysis. The electrocatalytic activity of the prepared catalyst towards ethanol oxidation was investigated by carbon monoxide stripping voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The effects of some experimental parameters such as scan rate, ethanol concentration, and temperature were investigated for ethanol electrooxidation at Pt/MV–RGO–CH catalyst. Durability of the catalyst was also investigated. The electrocatalytic performance of Pt/MV–RGO–CH catalyst for ethanol oxidation was compared with those of Pt/CH and Pt/MV–RGO catalysts. The higher electrocatalytic performance of Pt/MV–RGO–CH than Pt/CH and Pt/MV–RGO catalysts towards ethanol electrooxidation indicated that Pt/MV–RGO–CH could be a promising catalyst for application in direct ethanol fuel cells.