Preparation of Pt catalysts supported on polyaniline modified carbon black and electrocatalytic methanol oxidation

Abstract

The supports are of vital importance for supported catalysts. In this work, an excellent anode catalyst support for methanol oxidation reaction is prepared by using polyaniline (PANI) surface modified carbon black (CB), and Pt catalysts are supported on the surface of carbon black modified by polyaniline (Pt/PANI-CB). The characterizations of structure and morphology show that Pt nanoparticles with an average diameter of 2.89 nm are uniformly dispersed on the surface of carbon black modified by polyaniline. Compared with Pt supported on the surface of carbon black (Pt/CB) and commercial Pt/C catalysts, the optimal Pt/PANI-CB has higher electrocatalytic activity, and better stability for methanol oxidation reaction. In 0.5 M H2SO4 solution containing 0.5 M CH3OH, the area specific activity of Pt/PANI-CB is 1.81 mA cm−2Pt, and those of Pt/CB and Pt/C is 1.29 and 0.68 mA cm−2Pt. After 1000 cycles of cyclic voltammetry, the area specific activity retention of Pt/PANI-CB is 74.0%, while those of Pt/CB and Pt/C are 60.4% and 38.2%. Obviously, as a catalyst support, carbon black modified by polyaniline has broad application prospects.