Graphene growth on nanodiamond as a support for a Pt electrocatalyst in methanol electro-oxidation

A core/shell structure nanodiamond/graphene (ND/G) was prepared by annealing ND in a vacuum at the temperatures of 1200 and 1500 °C. ND/G with a controllable few-layer graphene covering on the ND surface was achieved. The prepared ND/G was used as a support for a platinum (Pt) electrocatalyst in direct methanol fuel cells. A higher dispersion of Pt nanoparticles was observed on ND/G compared to pristine NDs and the material showed better catalytic activity and greater stability for methanol electro-oxidation than Pt/ND.