Electrodeposition of Platinum-Nickel Alloy Nanoparticles on Carbon-Ceramic Electrode for Electrooxidation of Methanol

An electrochemical method was developed to deposit platinum (Pt)-nickel (Ni) alloy nanoparticles on carbon-ceramic electrode (Pt-Ni/CCE). The material was characterized by various methods including scanning electron microscope, EDX analysis, and electrochemical techniques. An appreciably improved catalysis toward oxidation of methanol was observed at the Pt-Ni/CCE nanoparticles (real ratio of Pt-Ni of ≈1:1), which was interpreted by a mechanism based on the bifunctional catalysis. The successful preparation of Pt-Ni/CCE nanoparticles opens a new path to synthesize the promising catalysts for methanol. It was shown that the Pt-Ni/CCE nanoparticles were the most efficient catalyst in the oxidation of methanol making it more attractive for fuel cell applications. The effective parameters on electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol were investigated and the results were discussed. Finally, the long-term stability of the modified electrode has also been investigated

Keywords:

Nickel-platinum nanoparticles , Methanol , Electrooxidation