Synthesis of size-selected Pt/GONR nanocomposites for visible-light-enhanced methanol oxidation reaction in an alkaline solution

Chia Liang Sun*, Yu Chih Chen, Cheng Hsuan Lin, Hung Yu Chen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, we prepared size-selected Pt/graphene oxide nanoribbon (GONR) composites as fuel-cell anode photoelectrocatalysts for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in an alkaline solution. Additionally, we used a light-emitting diode (LED) and a Xeon (Xe) lamp to increase the current densities of methanol oxidation reaction while photoelectrochemical phenomenon occurred upon our catalysts. The major parameter of our research is microwave powers for unzipping GONRs for electrochemical and photoeletrochemical measurements. Firstly, we utilized microwave heating to fabricate GONRs and load Pt nanoparticles made by chemical reduction methods. Secondly, we carried out the electrochemical and photoeletrochemical measurements using electrocatalyst-modified screen-printed carbon electrodes. The size distribution of Pt colloidal nanoparticles was characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The compositions of composite catalysts were determined by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The MOR photocurrent density of Pt/GONR (200 W) in cyclic voltammograms is 458 mA/mgPt under LED illumination. The photocurrent increase of this condition is 38.0% which is better than its dark one. Furthermore, we can obtain the MOR photocurrent density of 608, 696, and 794 mA/mgPt using Xe lamp with a power of 500, 750, and 1000 mW/cm2. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] Highlights: The Pt/graphene oxide nanoribbon composites was used as electrocatalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction in an alkaline solution. The visible light sources help to improve the peak oxidation currents of the reaction using our electrocatalysts. Discussion: The requirements for a best carbon support for a specific photoelectrochemical reaction remain an issue.The quantitative analyses of the current increase induced by photon energy in a specific electrochemical reaction are not well resolved yet.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)378-386
Number of pages9
JournalMRS Energy and Sustainability
Volume9
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 09 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Materials Research Society.

Keywords

  • Pt
  • composite
  • graphene
  • microwave heating
  • scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
  • transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

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