Improved activity and different performances of reduced graphene oxide-supported Pt nanoparticles modified with a small amount of Au in the electrooxidation of ethylene glycol and glycerol

The partial surface modification of reduced graphene oxide-supported Pt nanoparticles with a small amount of Au and the electrooxidation of ethylene glycol and glycerol on Au-modified Pt nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide (Au/Pt/RGO) catalysts have been investigated. The deposition of Au on Pt/RGO was performed electrochemically, and Au/Pt/RGO catalysts with the Au:Pt atomic ratio of 1:74, 1:41 and 1:20 were prepared. The characterization of catalysts showed the coverage from 4 to 17% of the Pt surfaces by Au adatoms. The Au/Pt/RGO catalysts have the property reflecting the features of both Pt and Au, but behave more similar to Pt/RGO in ethylene glycol oxidation and to Au/RGO in glycerol oxidation. Furthermore, the Au/Pt/RGO catalysts exhibit higher activity than Pt/RGO and Au/RGO in the two reactions. The significant change in the activity of Pt/RGO by the surface modification with a small amount of Au and the different performances of Au/Pt/RGO in the oxidation of ethylene glycol and glycerol are of significance for practical application and theoretical investigation. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.