PtCo nanoparticles supported on expanded graphite as electrocatalyst for direct methanol fuel cell

Abstract

To improve the electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation, PtCo nanoparticles supported on expanded graphite (EG) were prepared by the solution-phase reduction method with ethylene glycol. The structure of the catalyst was characterized by using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and its electrocatalytic performance toward methanol oxidation was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results show that PtCo alloy nanoparticles with an average size of 2.46nm have been uniformly dispersed on expanded graphite sheets. As compared to PtCo/MWCNT and commercial Pt/C catalysts, PtCo/EG catalyst has higher electrocatalytic activity, anti-poisoning ability and long-term stability for methanol oxidation in acidic medium, which expected to be a promising anode material for direct methanol fuel cell.