Control growth of uniform platinum nanotubes and their catalytic properties for methanol electrooxidation

Uniform platinum nanotubes have been synthesized by directly mixing Ag nanowires and H2PtCl6 in saturated NaI solutions at room temperature. The crystal structure of the obtained Pt nanotube has been investigated in detail by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, their electrocatalytic behaviors for methanol oxidation in alkaline media have also been studied. Compared with conventional Pt/C catalysts, these hollow nanostructures possess high electrochemical active areas and demonstrate higher current densities. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.