Amphoteric surfactant promoted three-dimensional assembly of graphene micro/nanoclusters to accomodate Pt nanoparticles for methanol oxidation

• Pt/3D graphene micro/nanocomposite was easily fabricated with assistance of an amphoteric surfactant.
• The unique pH induced charge transition and micellar property of the amphoteric surfactant contributes much to this 3D assembly.
• The Pt nanoparticles supported on 3D graphene displays uniform distribution with small size.
• The as-made catalyst Pt/3D graphene exhibits remarkably enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidation.

An intelligent amphoteric surfactant (sodium lauryl aminopropionate) was introduced to the construction of 3D graphene micro/nanoclusters, which was used to the synthesis of platinum nanoparticles to obtain the Pt/3D graphene micro/nanocomposite. Owing to the unique pH induced charge transition and micellar arranging property of the amphoteric surfactant, a higher-order assembly of 3D porous graphene-based architectures from stacked graphene oxide layers can be readily achieved. More importantly, the as-made catalyst Pt/3D graphene exhibits unprecedented activity, excellent CO tolerance and good stability towards methanol oxidation which can be attributed to the large surface area, efficient mass transport within the composite and the uniform distribution of small Pt NPs. These outstanding electrochemical properties make Pt/3D graphene a promising catalyst applied in direct methanol fuel cells.

An intelligent amphoteric surfactant (sodium lauryl aminopropionate) was introduced to the construction of Pt/3D graphene micro/nanocomposite. The results show that a higher-order assembly of 3D porous graphene-based architectures from stacked graphene oxide layers can be easily achieved which can be ascribed to the unique pH induced charge transition and micellar arranging property of the amphoteric surfactant. In particular, the dispersion of Pt NPs is more uniform and the particle size is much smaller in Pt/3D graphene than in traditional Pt/graphene. The as-made catalyst Pt/3D graphene exhibits remarkably enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidation.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide