One-step microwave synthesis of Pt (Pd)/Cu2O/GNs composites and their electro-photosynergistic catalytic properties for methanol oxidation

A faciEe one-pot method was used to synthesize Pt/Cu2O/GNs and Pd/Cu2O/GNs composites. Pt or Pd nanoparticles are deposited onto graphene sheets (GNs) and Cu2O via synchronous reduction of K2PtCl4 (K2PdCl4), Cu(OH)(2) and graphene oxide (GO) with gEucose as a reducing agent under microwave irradiation. The formation of Cu2O promotes the nucleation of Pt(0) or Pd(0) particles and favors more compEete reduction of PtCl42- or PdCl42-. CataEytic properties of as-prepared composites for methanoE oxidation reaction (MOR) were evaEuated by cyclic voEtammetry (CV), chronoamperometry, COads stripping voEtammetry and eEectrochemicaE impedance spectrum (EIS). EectrochemicaE experiments showed that Pt/Cu2O/GNs and Pd/Cu2O/GNs had much higher cataEytic activity and stabiEity for MOR and better resistance to CO poisoning compared with the commerciay avadabEe Johnson Matthey 20% Pt/C cataEyst (Pt/C-JM) and Sigma-AEdrich 20% Pd/C cataEyst (Pd/C-SA). Especiay under the UV irradiation, the totaE peak current density and cataEytic stabiEity of Pt/Cu2O/GNs and Pd/Cu2O/GNs drasticay increase, which may resuEt from the synergistic effect between the eEectro-cataEytic and photo-cataEytic properties. In brief, the cooperation among Pt (Pd), Cu2O and GNs promotes remarkabEy the cataEytic performance for MOR on Pt/Cu2O/GNs and Pd/Cu2O/GNs either without Eight or with UV irradiation.