Facile synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon-Pt nanoparticle hybrids via carbonization of poly([Bvim][Br]-co-acrylonitrile) for electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol

A polymerizable ionic liquid (IL), 1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium bromide ([Bvim][Br]), was synthesized and copolymerized with acrylonitrile to produce poly(1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium bromide-co-acrylonitrile) (PBA). Carbonization of PBA yielded carbon materials. The carbon yield, nitrogen content and nanostructure of carbon materials are highly dependent on the IL molar ratio in the copolymers. The synthesized PBA was anion-exchanged with Pt precursor (H2PtCl6) to form [PBA] [PtCl6]. Carbonization of [PBA][PtCl6] produced nitrogen-doped carbon-Pt nanohybrids, which showed a high catalytic activity and stability for electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol. The present study provided a novel method for the development of high performance electrocatalysts based on nitrogen-doped carbon-Pt or other noble metals and their alloys for fuel cells or electrochemical sensors.