The significant promotion of g-C3N4 on Pt/CNS catalyst for the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol

Abstract

This article reported a series of g–C3N4–CNS (g-C3N4 and carbon nanosheets) composite carriers formed by the hydrothermal method, and then the ethylene glycol reduction method was used to anchor Pt nanoparticles on the g–C3N4–CNS carrier to form the Pt/g–C3N4–CNS catalysts. The electrochemical test for the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol (MOR) shown that the Pt/20%g–C3N4–CNS catalyst has the best catalytic performance and stability. These Pt/g–C3N4–CNS catalysts were analyzed by TEM, XRD, XPS, and BET characterization. It is discovered that the amount of g-C3N4 greatly influenced the structure and chemical properties of Pt/CNS precursor. As the content of g-C3N4 increases, the content of pyridine nitrogen and pyrrole nitrogen also increases, and N species can enhance the interaction between Pt nanoparticles and CNS, promote Pt dispersion, and increase the specific surface area of the catalyst. Similarly, an excessive addition of g-C3N4 will cause a sharp decline in the conductivity of the catalyst, and then led to the decline of MOR activity.