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Methanol Oxidation in Alkaline Media with Pt-Au/fMWCNTs and Pt-Pd/fMWCNTs Electrocatalysts on an Exfoliated Graphite Electrode

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Abstract

The poisoning of pure platinum electrodes has propelled the improvement of platinum-based alloy catalysts. In this work, we report the application of exfoliated graphite electrode as an anode platform for binary platinum-based electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation in alkaline media. Platinum-based binary electrocatalysts comprising of Pt-Au and Pt-Pd nanoparticles on functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) support were synthesized via polyol process. The nanocomposite electrocatalysts (Pt-Au/fMWCNTs and Pt-Pd/fMWCNTs) were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The electrochemical activity of the Pt-Pd/fMWCNTs and the Pt-Au/fMWCNTs electrocatalysts was assessed utilizing cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in the presence of methanol. The nanoparticles were in the size regime of 3 to 5 nm and the XRD affirmed successful functionalization of the MWCNT and its impregnation with the binary Pt nanoparticles. The electrooxidation of methanol in alkaline conditions was seen with a high current density of about 26.1 mA cm−2 on Pt-Au/fMWCNTs and 13.52 mA cm−2 on Pt-Pd/fMWCNTs electrocatalysts deposited on exfoliated graphite working electrodes. The exfoliated graphite platform is a promising electrode for fuel cell application.

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Acknowledgements

The authors also thank Professor Ndungu and Dr. Modibedi for their scientific contributions and also to Mr. Thabo Matthews who looked at some of the research work and did corrections to manuscript especially interpretation of data and graphics.

Funding

The authors are grateful to the University of Johannesburg, Faculty of Science, University Research Council, and Centre for Nanomaterials Science Research and National Research Foundation (TTK-15071-0125-019) for the financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa

    L. S. Mpeta, S. S. Gwebu, O. A. Arotiba & N. W. Maxakato

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  1. L. S. Mpeta
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  2. S. S. Gwebu
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  3. O. A. Arotiba
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Correspondence to N. W. Maxakato.

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Mpeta, L.S., Gwebu, S.S., Arotiba, O.A. et al. Methanol Oxidation in Alkaline Media with Pt-Au/fMWCNTs and Pt-Pd/fMWCNTs Electrocatalysts on an Exfoliated Graphite Electrode. Electrocatalysis 10, 672–679 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12678-019-00555-0

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