Well dispersed Pt–Pd bimetallic nanoparticles on functionalized graphene as excellent electro-catalyst towards electro-oxidation of methanol

•An easy carbon radicals reaction procedure was firstly put forward to synthesize CS-G.•Functionalized graphene could provide more binding sites for Pt and Pd NPs.•A fast method of electrochemical reduction synthesized highly dispersed Pt–Pd NPs on CS-G.•The nanocomposite shows much higher catalytic activity and more long-term stability.

In this paper, an easy carbon radicals reaction procedure is put forward to functionalized graphene-supported Pt–Pd bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs). To begin with, graphene was functionalized with carboxylic sodium electro-catalyst through method of π–π interaction, which could provide more binding sites for Pt–Pd NPs. Then a fast method of in-situ electrochemical reduction was developed to synthesize highly dispersed Pt–Pd NPs on functionalized graphene. The prepared nanocomposite was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transformed infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), and electrochemical technique. The obtained nanocomposite shows much high catalytic activity and long-term stability towards methanol oxidation than that of Pt or Pd black. It was suggesting the synergetic effects of bimetallic NPs. Moreover, it demonstrates that the incorporation of the carbon radical reaction with electrochemical reduction method is a novel approach to functionalize graphene. Our study may provide a new insight into electro-oxidation of methanol on bimetallic material.

Graphical abstractAn easy carbon radicals reaction procedure is proposed to functionalized graphene-supported Pt–Pd bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs). Graphene was functionalized with carboxylic sodium electro-catalyst through method of π–π interaction, which could provide more binding sites for Pt–Pd NPs. Then a fast method of in-situ electrochemical reduction was developed to synthesize highly dispersed Pt–Pd NPs on functionalized graphene. The obtain nanocomposite shows much high catalytic activity and long-term stability towards electro-oxidation of methanol.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide