In situ electrodeposition of Pt nanoclusters on glassy carbon surface modified by monolayer choline film and their electrochemical applications

Pt nanoclusters attached to the monolayer choline (Ch) modified glassy carbon surface were successfully synthesized by use of in situ cyclic voltammetry (CV) method. Field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to characterize the properties of this modified electrode. It was demonstrated that Ch was immobilized onto the carbon surface forming a covalently planted Ch monolayer, which could induce the formation of Pt nanoclusters. The preliminary study found that the homogeneous nanostructured Pt/Ch film exhibited remarkable electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of methanol and nitrite.