Synthesis of size-controllable Pt nanoparticles decorated-poly(m-phenylenediamine) and its high catalytic activity for methanol oxidation

Abstract

A novel double-potential technique is applied for the electrodeposition of Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs) with controllable size on poly(m-phenylenediamine) (PmPD). The double-potential technique is comprised of the control of the electrodeposition time of PtNPs, followed by the electromodulation of PtNPs size. Oxidation of methanol on the resulting PtNPs/PmPD was investigated, indicating that PtNPs/PmPD exhibits excellent catalytic activity and satisfactory poisoning-tolerance toward methanol oxidation, which is due to the synergistic effect of PtNPs and PmPD. The results demonstrate that PtNPs/PmPD can be a promising electrode material used in the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).