Easy synthesis approach of Pt-nanoparticles on polyaniline surface: an efficient electro-catalyst for methanol oxidation reaction

A facile room temperature and surfactant free synthesis of platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) on benzene tetra-carboxylic acid doped polyaniline (BDP) tube has been successfully demonstrated by solution dipping method. Preparation of Pt-NPs has been done through a red-ox reaction between BDP tubes and Pt-salt, as BDP itself acts as nontoxic reducing agent as well as template cum stabilizer for Pt-NPs. In BDP@Pt composites, similar to 2.5 +/- 0.5 nm spherical shaped Pt-NPs as observed from TEM studies are nicely decorated on the surface of BDP. The population or the loading density of Pt-NPs on BDP tube is greatly controlled by changing the w/w ratio of BDP to H2PtCl6. Synthesized BDP@Pt composites are subsequently employed as an efficient electro-catalyst for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in acidic medium. Furthermore, the observed catalytic activity is consequently similar to 12 times higher than that of commercially available Pt/C catalyst. Depending on the loading density of Pt-NPs on BDP tubes, the efficiency and carbon monoxide (CO) tolerance ability of composites have been explored. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.