Rapid formation of nanoscale tungsten carbide on graphitized carbon for electrocatalysis

A simple, rapid and energy-saving method has been used to synthesize nanostructured tungsten carbide on graphitized carbon (WC/gC) materials. The procedures include the ion exchange of the ion-exchange resin as original precursor with targeting ions and heat treatment by an intermittent microwave heating (IMH) method. The resulting product was loaded by Pt nanoparticles to form a uniformly dispersed nanocomposite (Pt-WC/gC). The samples are characterized by physical and electrochemical methods. The Pt-WC/gC as electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction shows high activity proved by the Pt-mass activity of 207.4 mA mg−1Pt which is much higher than that of 107.4 mA mg−1Pt on Pt/C at 0.9 V. The onset potential for methanol oxidation is 100 mV more negative than that on Pt/C electrocatalyst. The synthesis of other types of nanomaterials based on this method is current under way to demonstrate the general suitability.

► The nano-tungsten carbide on graphitized carbon (WC/gC) materials are synthesized.
► The method used is simple, rapid and energy-saving.
► The Pt on WC/gC for oxygen reduction shows a higher activity than that of Pt/C.
► The Eonset for methanol oxidation on Pt-WC/gC is 100 mV superior to that on Pt/C.
► This method will be interested for mass production of the nanomaterials.