Polyaniline‐supported platinum‐hydrous ruthenium oxide nanocomposite as electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation

Abstract A novel composite electrode is fabricated through the electrodeposition of hydrous ruthenium oxide (RuO₂·xH₂O) and platinum (Pt) particles into the matrix of polyaniline (PANI). Scanning electron microscopy reveals that RuO₂·xH₂O and Pt particles are homogeneously distributed into the matrix of PANI. A comparison of the sizes of Pt and RuO₂·xH₂O particles incorporated into the PANI film reveals that Pt particles are smaller in sizes as compared with the sizes of RuO₂·xH₂O particles. The catalytic activity of composite electrodes was evaluated for the oxidation of methanol by using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. A relatively high catalytic current was noticed for the oxidation of methanol (2.37 mA/cm²) at PANI‐Pt‐RuO₂·xH₂O electrode (+0.6 V (V vs. Ag/AgCl) in comparison to oxidation current at PAN‐Pt (1.27 mA/cm²) electrode. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers