Platinum Nanoparticles Loaded on Nickel- and Nitrogen-doped Graphene Nanotubes Framework As a High Performance Electrode in Ethanol Oxidation Reaction

Ethanol is a perfect fuel in low-temperature fuel cells. Existing catalysts for ethanol oxidation in direct ethanol fuel cells are faced to considerable challenges thanks to their poor performance and CO like intermediates poisoning tolerance at anode surface. Therefore researchers are searching for new electrocatalysts within the the ethanol oxidation. During this study, Pt-loaded Ni-doped nitrogen-rich graphitic nanotube (Pt/Ni@GRNT) was synthesized employing a two-step procedure where the precursors were ۱st refluxed to make a supramolecular assembly followed by a pyrolysis and leaching stage to form nanotubes. Thus, Pt was loaded on the outer surface of nanotube by an ultrasound assisted procedure. In order to confirm the right preparation of Pt/Ni@GRNT, it was characterized by FE-SEM, FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Several electrochemical techniques like cyclic voltammetry (CV), and chronoamperometry (CA) were used to evaluate the oxidation of ethanol. Both CA and CV results highlight that Pt/Ni@GRNT exhibits improved electrocatalytic activity and stability towards ethanol oxidation. The Pt/Ni@GRNT electrocatalyst has excellent potential for application in ethanol fuel cells.

کلیدواژه ها:

platinum nanoparticles ، graphene nanotubes ، electrocatalyst ، ethanol oxidation reaction