Graphene-carbon nanofiber hybrid supported Pt nanoparticles with enhanced catalytic performance for methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction

Graphene-embedded carbon fiber (RGO-CF) and graphene/carbon fiber hybrid (RGO/CF) are prepared and used as supports of Pt nanoparticles for electrocatalysis applications. The chemical structure-activity correlations of the obtained electrocatalysts are investigated and compared with the commercial catalyst-Pt/C. The Pt nanoparticles loaded on RGO/CF exhibits increased catalytic stability in both methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Furthermore, the activity for ORR increases. Series of characterization results reveal that the remarkable electrocatalytic performance of Pt/RGO/CF is rooted in that RGO/CF support offers abundant graphitic-N and oxygen functional groups, low charge transfer resistance, as well as the strong interaction between Pt nanoparticles and RGO/CF. These results indicate that RGO/CF can be a promising support for the improvement of electrochemical activity and stability of fuel cell. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.