Concise route to prepared graphene-CNTs nanocomposite supported Pt nanoparticles and used as new electrode material for electrochemical sensing

The sandwich lamination structure of graphene-multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Gr-CNTs) nanocomposite has been fabricated through in situ facile and green method. Then Pt nanoparticles are fabricated on Gr-CNTs via a simple one-step chemical reduction method in ethylene glycol (EG) and water system. The Gr-CNTs nanocomposite increased the solubility of carbon nanotubes in water, and CNTs could effectively prevent the irreversible aggregation of graphene. The Pt/Gr-CNTs were further characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), which indicated that the as-synthesized Pt nanoparticles were successfully dispersed on the surface of Gr-CNTs nanocomposite. Electrochemical study has proved that the Pt/Gr-CNTs nanocomposite has higher catalytic activity in neutral medium for methanol oxidation, which is hopefully used in various types of cells and biosensors in physiological medium. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.