Decorating the carbon felt electrode with polymeric platinize nanocomposite: characterization and electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidation reaction

Abstract

Herein, carbon felt (CF), a porous carbonaceous material is used as an anode in a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) application. In order to enhance the electrochemical activity of this electrode, modification of the CF electrode is performed with a polymeric-platinize nanocomposite by a pure electrochemical method. In the modification process, 4-methyl-1,2-diaminobenzene is electropolymerized on the CF surface and then, Pt nanoparticles are electrodeposited on this substrate. Physical characteristics of the synthesized nanocomposite, Pt/p-MDAB/CF, are investigated by field emission scanning electron Microscopy and energy-dispersive Xray spectra. The electrochemical studies such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy prove the Pt/p-MDAB/CF superiority over Pt/CF towards methanol oxidation. This superiority that results from the cooperation effect between carbonaceous-polymeric layer and Pt nanoparticles, introduces Pt/p-PDAB/CF as the suitable candidate anode for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR).

A high-performance Pt-based catalyst for the methanol oxidation reaction: effect of electrodeposition mode and cocatalyst on electrocatalytic activity

“…Electropolymerization of an acidic solution of 6 mM 4-MDAB on the surface of MWCNT/GCE was performed by applying 13 consecutive cycles in the potential range of −0.50 to 1.00 V vs. Ag/AgCl at a sweep rate of 60 mV s −1 . 29 A comprehensive interpretation of the successful formation of p-MDAB is given in the (ESI†). 30,43–48…”

“…Electropolymerization of an acidic solution of 6 mM 4-MDAB on the surface of MWCNT/GCE was performed by applying 13 consecutive cycles in the potential range of À0.50 to 1.00 V vs. Ag/AgCl at a sweep rate of 60 mV s À1 . 29 A comprehensive interpretation of the successful formation of p-MDAB is given in the (ESI †). 30,[43][44][45][46][47][48] Electrodeposition of metallic nanoparticles Modification of the p-MDAB/MWCNT/GCE substrate with Ni and NiCu nanoparticles was performed through pulse electrodeposition by applying 600 pulses with an amplitude of À0.7 V followed by a basic potential at OCP.…”

“…The deposition of metallic nanoparticles on conductive polymers not only increases the surface area of nanoparticles but also improves the electrical conductivity of the metallic composites and presents ideal electrocatalysts. [29][30][31] Engineering of the catalyst structure by selection of the form of synthesis constitutes a large portion of studies in the field of DMFCs, since the efficiency of DMFCs is highly influenced by the structure of the anode catalyst. [32][33][34] Chemical reduction, chemical vapor deposition, spraying, and electro(less) approaches are conventional methods employed for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles.…”

Effect of Pd on the Electrocatalytic Activity of Pt towards Oxidation of Ethanol in Alkaline Solutions

“…Different kinds of alcohols can be used as fuel in DAFCs, each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages [6]. Although there are studies on the use of ethylene glycol [7], propanol [8], and butanol [9] as fuels in DAFCs, the most widespread alcohol-based fuels are methanol and ethanol [10][11][12][13][14][15]. In addition to the high energy density and nontoxicity of ethanol, the balance of CO 2 , the most common greenhouse gas, in the environment is preserved during ethanol oxidation because ethanol can be obtained from biomass.…”