Controlled attachment of ultrafine platinum nanoparticles on functionalized carbon nanotubes with high electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation

Abstract

Platinum nanoparticles with average diameters of 2-3 nm have been coated on multiwalled carbon nanotubes by controlled attachment of an intermediate on the walls of the nanotube. Reduction of the intermediate leads to the formation platinum nanoparticles which are uniformly coated on the nanotubes. This composite shows excellent electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation and hence is a candidate material for fuel cell applications. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry studies indicate that these composites have a better electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation compared with a commercial Pt-carbon mixture with similar Pt loading. The intermediate approach for the formation of hybrids is general and can be extended to other systems.