Anchoring metal nanoparticles on hydrofluoric acid treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes as stable electrocatalysts

We attempted the treatment of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in hydrofluoric acid (HF) aqueous solution for depositing Pt nanoparticles as catalysts for methanol oxidation for the first time. The preliminary results revealed that the Pt nanoparticles could be well dispersed on HF treated MWCNTs and gave enhanced activity and stability for methanol oxidation. As demonstrated in this study, the Pt supported on HF treated MWCNTs catalyst gave over doubled current density than that of Pt supported on as-received MWCNTs for methanol oxidation at the same Pt loadings. The enhancement in the stability of the Pt supported on HF treated MWCNTs catalyst for methanol oxidation is believed due to the stronger interaction between Pt nanoparticles and MWCNTs. This study opens promising possibilities for anchoring metal nanoparticles on the walls of the MWCNTs uniformly and stably.