Au@Pt core-shell nanoparticles supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes for methanol oxidation

摘要

Au@Pt core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple one-step ultraviolet irradiation method and were then assembled on functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) surface. This new type of Au@Pt/MWCNTs composite catalysts was characterized by UV-vis spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning TEM, HRTEM, and electrochemical techniques. The results revealed that the Au@Pt nanoparticles with an average diameter less than 5 nm were well coated on the MWCNTs surface. As compared with commercial Pt/C catalysts, the Au@Pt/MWCNTs prepared using Au/Pt atomic ratio of 1:1 exhibited distinctly higher activity and better stability toward methanol oxidation in alkaline media.