Graphene–poly(5-aminoindole) composite film as Pt catalyst support for methanol electrooxidation in alkaline medium

Abstract

5-Aminoindole (AIn) was electropolymerized on graphene (GE) modified glass carbon (GC) electrode in 0.5M H2SO4 aqueous solution containing 0.01M AIn. Because of the catalytic effect of GE, the polymerization efficiency of AIn and the electrochemical activity of as-formed poly(5-aminoindole) (PAIn) were significantly improved on GE/GC electrode as compared to that on the bare GC electrode. The prepared PAIn/GE/GC electrode was used as substrate for Pt particle electrodeposition. SEM, EDX and Raman spectral were used to characterize the prepared electrodes. Electrocatalytic experiments demonstrate that the Pt/PAIn/GE/GC electrode possesses high catalytic activity toward methanol electrooxidation in alkaline medium, due to the good dispersion of Pt particles on PAIn/GE/GC and the electronic interactions between the metal particles and the polymer matrixes. Thus, PAIn can be a promising alternative for polymeric catalyst support in direct alcohol fuel cells.