Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity toward methanol oxidation of electrocatalyst Pt4+-NH2-MCM-41

Mesoporous material with functional group (Pt4+-NH2-MCM-41) was prepared by grafting aminopropyl group and adsorbing platinum ions on the surface of the commercial molecular sieve (MCM-41). The characterization carried out by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and N2 adsorption–desorption measurement pointed out that Pt was adsorbed on the NH2-MCM-41 surface as the oxidation state (Pt4+) and the surface area of Pt4+-NH2-MCM-41 was up to 564 m2/g. Transmission electron microscopy and elemental mapping indicated a homogeneous distribution of Pt4+ throughout all surface of the mesoporous materials. Electro-catalytic properties of methanol oxidation on the Pt4+-NH2-MCM-41 electrode were investigated with electrochemical methods. The results showed that the Pt4+-NH2-MCM-41 electrode exhibited catalytic activity in the methanol electro-oxidation with the apparent activation energy being 49.29 kJ/mol, and the control step of methanol electro-oxidation was the mass transfer process. It is first proved that platinum ions had good electro-catalytic property for methanol oxidation and provided a new idea for developing electrode materials in future.

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► It was first confirmed that the Pt4+ exhibited a good electro-catalytic property for methanol oxidation.
► The Pt4+ perfectly distributed on a mesoporous molecular sieve matrix synthesis by a facile method.
► The good performance of catalyst resistance to poisoning because of a homogeneous distribution of Pt4+ and large specific surface area.