Carbonized polyaniline nanotubes/nanosheets-supported Pt nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization and electrocatalysis

Nitrogen-containing carbonized polyaniline nanotubes/nanosheets were used to synthesize a novel type of supported Pt nanoparticles electrocatalyst PtNPs/Carb-nanoPANI, with the Pt nanoparticles of ~ 9 nm in diameter. PtNPs/Carb-nanoPANI nanocomposite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, cyclovoltammetry, thermogravimetric and XRD analyses. Its electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction in both the alkaline and acidic solutions was studied by a rotating disc technique. In acidic media, this electrocatalyst was compared to both smooth platinum and commercial C-supported Pt-based electrocatalyst. Its higher specific electrocatalytic activity, which amounted to ~ 1 mA cm− 2 in the region of diffusion control, was proved. High electrocatalytic activity of PtNPs/Carb-nanoPANI towards the ethanol oxidation reaction in acidic medium was also evidenced.