Au@Pt core-shell nanoparticles supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes for methanol oxidation

Au@Pt core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple one-step ultraviolet irradiation method and were then assembled on functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) surface. This new type of Au@Pt/MWCNTs composite catalysts was characterized by UV–vis spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning TEM, HRTEM, and electrochemical techniques. The results revealed that the Au@Pt nanoparticles with an average diameter less than 5 nm were well coated on the MWCNTs surface. As compared with commercial Pt/C catalysts, the Au@Pt/MWCNTs prepared using Au/Pt atomic ratio of 1:1 exhibited distinctly higher activity and better stability toward methanol oxidation in alkaline media.

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► Au@Pt nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple one-step ultraviolet irradiation.
► Au@Pt nanoparticles were assembled on MWCNTs surface with well dispersion.
► Au@Pt/MWCNTs showed the excellent catalytic performance for methanol oxidation.