Copper phthalocyanine functionalization of graphene nanosheets as support for platinum nanoparticles and their enhanced performance toward methanol oxidation

We herein report a facile and effective ultrasonication method to non-covalently functionalize graphene with copper phthalocyanine-3,4′,4″,4‴-tetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt (TSCuPc) as a promising catalyst support for Pt nanoparticles. With the assistance of TSCuPc, Pt nanoparticles are homogeneously deposited on the surface of graphene, and their dispersivity and electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) are obviously enhanced. Studies of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry demonstrate that the as-prepared Pt/TSCuPc-graphene catalyst exhibits much higher electrocatalytic activity and stability than the Pt/graphene and commercial Pt/C catalysts for methanol oxidation. It is concluded that the strategy of TSCuPc-functionalized graphene with Pt catalysts will be potential in design and synthesis of the highly efficient electrocatalysts for DMFCs applications.