Multi-walled carbon nanotube supported Pd and Pt nanoparticles with high solution affinity for effective electrocatalysis

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are easily wrapped with a functionabiopolymer—polydopamine (Pdop) through self-polymerization of dopamine in a mild basic solution. The MWCNTs@Pdop exhibits long term dispersivity in water for at least one month. The Pdop halarge capacity to coordinate [PdCl4]2− and [PtCl6]2− that upon reduction transform to correspondingmetal nanoparticles. The nanoparticles strongly adhere to Pdop layer and can be used for the electrooxidation of haydrazine and methanol, respectively. Compared to Pd and Pt supported on unmodifiedMWCNTs, the Pd and Pt nanoparticle decorated onMWCNTs@Pdop exhibitmuch higher electrocatalytiactivity and enhanced stability.