Reduced graphene oxide-poly-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-Pt/Ag nanoscrolls and its electrocatalytic performance for oxidation of methanol

Abstract

The reduced graphene oxide-poly-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-Pt/Ag (RGO-PDMAEMA-Pt/Ag) nanoscrolls were prepared by rolling up the RGO-PDMAEMA-Pt/Ag sheets under freezing conditions. The compositions and structures of RGO-PDMAEMA-Pt/Ag sheets and nanoscrolls were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Because of the bimetallic synergetic effect and unique scrolled structure, RGO-PDMAEMA-Pt/Ag nanoscrolls show excellent catalytic performance and high electrochemical stability. The ECSA value of RGO-PDMAEMA-Pt/Ag nanoscrolls for Pt is 891 cm2/mg, which is 1.28 times that of the RGO-PDMAEMA-Pt/Ag sheets (698 cm2/mg). The ratio of the forward oxidation peak current to the reverse peak current is about 1.25. The electrochemical results indicate the RGO-PDMAEMA-Pt/Ag nanoscrolls are promising electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cell.