Electrochemical Oxidations of Alcohols on Platinum/Carbon Nanotube Composites

Composites of platinum and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared in various reduction conditions and characterized using cyclic voltammetry. The MWNTs were functionalized with carboxylic acid and/or hydroxyl groups in acidic solutions prior to the formation of MWNT-Pt composites. Platinum nanoparticles were deposited onto the chemically-oxidized MWNTs in 1-propanol and 1,3-propanediol. The reduction of Pt precursors in other solutions could induce differences in their morphologies in composite thin films. The morphologies of MWNTs with Pt deposited were dependent on the reduction solutions, and the electrocatalytic activities on alcohols changed accordingly. The electrochemical activities of the as-prepared MWNT-Pt thin films on common alcohols such as methanol and ethanol were investigated. KCI Citation Count: 0