Exploration of biogenic Pt nanoparticles by using agricultural waste (Saccharum officinarum L. Bagasse Extract) as nanocatalyst for the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol

Abstract

A novel, facile, environmentally benign, cost-effective and one-pot chemical reduction synthesis was used as a biosynthetic approach to fabricate Pt nanoparticles. In this context, the biogenic Pt was produced in situ through the bioreduction of the reductive active biomolecule compounds from agricultural waste, namely, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) bagasse extract (SBE). The structure, surface morphology and chemical composition of the obtained biogenic Pt were characterised using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry showed high amounts of phenolics and flavonoids that were responsible for the bioreduction process. The in vitro antioxidant properties, such as free radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content, ferrous reducing antioxidant power and Bradford protein assays, were also examined. The electrochemical activity proved that the biogenic Pt NPs, which were successfully reduced by SBE, had high electrocatalytic activity, remarkable utilisation efficiency of Pt and appreciable stability towards the CH3OH electro-oxidation reaction. Furthermore, the biogenic Pt endowed potent antioxidant activity that could scavenge the free radicals with 81.9% inhibition capacity. Hence, this paper presents a simple and effective method to produce a robust electrocatalyst for CH3OH oxidation reaction via the biosynthesis route.