Synthesis of Au@nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots@Pt core-shell structure nanoparticles for enhanced methanol electrooxidation

Here, a unique triple-layered core-shell structure (Au@N-CQDs@Pt) with an Au metal core, nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots interlayer, and metal Pt outside shell was obtained by chemical reduction of HAuCl4 and H2PtCl6 in the presence of N-CQDs. The remarkable advantage of the method reported here is no any stabilizer or surfactant agent involved. The results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveal that the as-prepared nanocomposites exhibit the nanostructured dendritic Pt and the quantity of Pt shell can be easily changed through controlling the synthesis time. Specifically, Au@N-CQDs@Pt displays excellent catalytic activity toward methanol oxidation reaction in alkaline condition than Au-Pt without N-CQDs, which indicate the useful application of CQDs in designing new catalysts to be used in direct methanol fuel cells. Schematic of the Au@N-CQDs@Pt preparation process and it application for methanol electrooxidation. [Display omitted] •Pt nanoparticles were supported on Au@N-CQDs to form core-shell structure.•Au@N-CQDs@Pt shows superior catalytic activities for methanol oxidation reaction.•Enhanced catalytic activities roots in the multibenefits from the adding of N-CQDs.