Polyaniline pyrolysis assisted by ITO to prepare Pt catalyst support for methanol oxidation reaction

Abstract

A good support is essential for the activity and durability of the supported catalysts. In this work, nitrogen-doped carbon with fluffy structure and high content of pyridinic-N and pyrrolic-N is prepared by the pyrolysis of polyaniline/ITO composite, which is conducive to uniform and firm loading of Pt catalysts. Herein, polyaniline is used as carbon and nitrogen sources, and ITO is used as a pyrolysis auxiliary due to the reaction of polyaniline dopant (proton acid) and ITO during the pyrolysis. Pt catalyst supported on above optimal support shows an excellent electrocatalytic performance for the methanol oxidation reaction, especially its stability, achieving an activity retention rate of 89.3% after 1000 cycles of cyclic voltammetry in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 0.5 M CH3OH solution. This work provides a new strategy for preparing Pt-based catalyst with a high activity and a good durability.