Methanol oxidation activities of Pt nanoparticles supported on microporous carbon with and without a graphitic shell

Platinum nanoparticles were prepared as catalysts supported on microporous amorphous carbon with and without a graphitic carbon shell. The electro-oxidation of methanol in acidic solutions at room temperature was used as a probe reaction to explore the effect of the carbon structure on catalysis. CO anodic stripping voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry both recorded enhanced performance for the catalyst supported on the carbon with a graphitic shell. Some rationalizations of the possible roles of the graphitic shell are provided.