In situ growth of Pt nanoparticles on electrospun SnO2 fibers for anode electrocatalyst application

• Pt/SnO2 fiber was synthesized using electrospinning.
• Pt nanoparticles can be grown in situ on SnO2 fiber matrix.
• The size of Pt nanoparticles could be controlled by adjusting the polymer concentration.
• Ultra-low Pt loading gave high electrochemically active surface area value.

A facile method to synthesize Pt nanoparticles on the electrospun SnO2 fiber matrix is presented. Precursors contained tin chloride pentahydrate, hexachloroplatinic acid, polyacrylonitrile, and N,N-dimethylformamide were electrospun and subsequently calcinations was carried out at 500 °C for 4 h. It is shown that Pt nanoparticles were grown on SnO2 fiber matrix without any formation of PtO. Pt nanoparticles size was in the range of 6–32 nm, by adjusting the concentration of polyacrylonitrile. The electrochemically active surface area of Pt/SnO2 fibers was found to be very competitive compared to the commercially available electrocatalyst. This work demonstrates that Pt/SnO2 fibers can be generated by a facile electrospinning process.