The production of a high loading of almost monodispersed Pt nanoparticles on single-walled carbon nanotubes for methanol oxidation

Pt/single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) composites have been prepared by mixing surfactant-assisted solubilized SWCNTs and Pt carbonyl complexes. Pt nanoparticles that are nearly monodispersed with a diameter of ca. 2.2 nm are formed on the surface of the SWCNTs and broadly dispersed (even at 60 wt.% loading) on individual and/or small bundles. Formation of the composite does not lead to a change in the structure of SWCNTs, and the composite exhibits significantly enhanced electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation. The enhancement in catalytic activity may result from the unique 1-D structures of SWCNTs, the uniform dispersion of Pt nanoparticles, and the interactions between the Pt nanoparticles and the SWCNTs. The SWCNT-supported Pt can serve as a high surface area support for fuel cell applications and a co-catalyst for methanol oxidation.