Superior electrocatalytic activity of PtSrCoO3−δ nanoparticles supported on functionalized reduced graphene oxide-chitosan for ethanol oxidation

Abstract Here, SrCoO 3 − δ was synthesized through a sol gel method and characterized with X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Graphene oxide was synthesized by a modified Hummers' method, then functionalized with 1, 1′-dimethyl-4, 4′-bipyridinium dichloride (methyl viologen) accompanied by Chitosan to prepare novel MV-RGO-CH. This was used as a support for nanoparticles to get Pt SrCoO 3 − δ /MV–RGO-CH nanocomposite. Transmission electron microscopy image was used to show the morphology and distribution of nanoparticles. The electrocatalytic activity of Pt SrCoO 3 − δ /MV–RGO-CH nanocomposite for ethanol electrooxidation was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, CO ads stripping voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The effects of some experimental factors for ethanol oxidation on the prepared nanocomposite were investigated and the optimum conditions were suggested. Pt SrCoO 3 − δ /MV–RGO-CH nanocomposite showed higher catalytic activities than Pt/MV–RGO-CH for ethanol electrooxidation indicating that Pt SrCoO 3 − δ /MV–RGO-CH nanocomposite could be a promising catalyst for direct ethanol fuel cells applications.