Well-dispersive Pt nanocrystals anchored onto 3D boron and nitrogen double-doped reduced graphene oxide–carbon nanotube frameworks as efficient electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation

Abstract

A bottom-up self-assembly method is developed to the fabrication of well-dispersive Pt nanocrystals anchored onto 3D B and N double-doped reduced graphene oxide-CNT frameworks, which express superior electrocatalytic performance for methanol oxidation. • 3D B and N double-doped graphene-CNT frameworks are fabricated via a co-assembly strategy; • The homogeneous distribution of Pt nanocrystals on the hybrid frameworks is realized; • The interconnected porous network and optimized electronic structure provide numerous active sites; • The as-derived catalysts express exceptional electrochemical performance toward methanol oxidation. The development of direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) technology is an effective way to solve the problems of environmental pollution and energy shortage, while the scarcity of the highly-efficient anode catalysts with low cost severely limits its commercial use. In this work, we report a robust and convenient approach for the bottom-up construction of well-dispersive Pt nanocrystals anchored onto three-dimensional (3D) porous boron and nitrogen double-doped reduced graphene oxide–carbon nanotube frameworks (Pt/BNRGO-CNT) via a controllable co-assembly process. This architectural design can achieve a series of useful structural merits, such as 3D cross-linked porous network, large presence of B and N atoms, homogeneous Pt dispersibility, and high electrical conductivity. Consequently, the resulting Pt/BNRGO-CNT electrocatalysts exhibit excellent catalytic activity, strong anti-toxicity ability, and good long-term stability for methanol oxidation reaction, far exceeding those of Pt catalysts supported by the conventional undoped reduced graphene oxide, carbon nanotube, and carbon black matrixes.