Enhanced electrocatalytic methanol oxidation properties by photo-assisted Fe2O3 nanoplates

Abstract In this paper, visible-light-driven two-dimensional (2D) Fe 2 O 3 nanoplates with exposed (001) facets were first adopted to act as Pt support for photo-assisted electrocatalytic methanol oxidation. Under simulated solar light and visible light illumination Pt-2D Fe 2 O 3 nanoplates displayed 2.32 and 1.30 times higher electrocatalytic activities for methanol oxidation than in dark condition, respectively. Besides, 2D Fe 2 O 3 nanoplates owns much better electrocatalytic activities for methanol oxidation than Fe 2 O 3 particles whether in dark, visible light or simulated solar light illumination. The nice photo-assisted electrocatalytic methanol oxidation activities of Pt-2D Fe 2 O 3 nanoplates can be attributed to 2D structure enhanced the oxidation activities of photogenerated holes to oxidize OH − to hydroxyl radical (·OH) as well as its large specific surface area. Our experimental results suggest that photo-assisted and two-dimensional strategy of semiconductors are promising ways to further improve the electrocatalytic activities for methanol oxidation in DMFCs.