Synthesis and electrochemical performances of platinum decorated polydopamine-coated carbon nanotubes/graphene composites as fuel cell catalysts

Abstract The electrochemical analysis of platinum catalyst which is deposited on polydopamine-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PCNT) and graphene nanosheet (GNS) composites is investigated. The Pt-PCNT/GNS composites are prepared via a facile one-step synthesis process in a Teflon-lined autoclave. Cyclic voltammetry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are utilized to analyze the characteristics of the Pt-PCNT/GNS composites. The electrochemical surface area and methanol oxidation reaction is changed depending on the weight ratio of PCNT:GNS compounds, which affects the dispersion of the Pt nanoparticles. The Pt-PCNT/GNS composites exhibit superior properties compared to those of Pt-GNS and Pt-PCNT, which demonstrate that the PCNT/GNS could be used as promising catalyst supports for direct methanol fuel cells.