Enhanced electrocatalytic performance for methanol oxidation of Pt nanoparticles on Mn3O4-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes

We report the preparation of well-dispersed Pt nanoparticles depositing on Mn3O4-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Mn3O4-MWCNTs) that can be taken as high performance catalyst in methanol electro-oxidation. Various spectrometry techniques such as FT-IR, Raman, XRD, TEM and XPS measurements were performed, revealing that the Pt nanoparticles were highly dispersed on the surface of Mn3O4-modified MWCNTs with a narrow size distribution between 1.7 nm and 3.9 nm. Compared the Pt/MWCNT catalyst without Mn3O4 modification, the Pt/Mn3O4-MWCNT composite catalyst not only shows relative large electrochemical active surface area (EAS), high catalyzing activity toward methanol electro-oxidation, but also exhibits very high stability with apparent anti-poisoning tolerance to the incomplete oxidized species during methanol oxidation.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Mn3O4 was successfully modified on acid-treated MWCNTs in reducing solvents. ► Pt nanoparticles were uniformly deposited on the Mn3O4-MWCNT surface. ► The Mn3O4 in the catalyst played an important role in catalytic performance. ► The prepared catalyst presented better catalytic activity for methanol oxidation.