On the Origin of the Enhanced Performance of Pt/Dendrite-like Mn3O4 for Methanol Electrooxidation

The interaction between precious metal nanoparticles and the support plays an important role in improving poisoning tolerance of Pt-based catalysts and thus maintaining their activity and stability. Here, a dendrite-like Mn3O4 was fabricated and used as a support for Pt nanoparticles towards the methanol electrooxidation reaction. The nanoparticles were deposited chemically on surfaces of the dendritic Mn3O4, which was prepared through calcination of MnO2 hollow microspheres. The Mn3O4 support not only provided an appropriate base for the formation of nanosized and homogeneous platinum particles (about 2.6 nm in size), but also increased Pt-0 binding energy owing to a strong electronic interaction. By combining the advantages of the small-size, fine dispersion and enhanced binding energy of Pt nanoparticles, the Pt/Mn3O4 composite exhibited enhanced catalytic activity, poisoning tolerance and stability for methanol electrooxidation.