Enhanced electrocatalytic methanol oxidation properties by photo-assisted Fe2O3 nanoplates

In this paper, visible-light-driven two-dimensional (2D) Fe2O3 nanoplates with exposed (001) facets were first adopted to act as Pt support for photo-assisted electrocatalytic methanol oxidation. Under simulated solar light and visible light illumination Pt-2D Fe2O3 nanoplates displayed 2.32 and 1.30 times higher electrocatalytic activities for methanol oxidation than in dark condition, respectively. Besides, 2D Fe2O3 nanoplates owns much better electrocatalytic activities for methanol oxidation than Fe2O3 particles whether in dark, visible light or simulated solar light illumination. The nice photo-assisted electrocatalytic methanol oxidation activities of Pt-2D Fe2O3 nanoplates can be attributed to 2D structure enhanced the oxidation activities of photogenerated holes to oxidize OH- to hydroxyl radical (center dot OH) as well as its large specific surface area. Our experimental results suggest that photo-assisted and two-dimensional strategy of semiconductors are promising ways to further improve the electrocatalytic activities for methanol oxidation in DMFCs. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.