Synthesis and electrochemical analysis of Pt-loaded, polypyrrole-decorated, graphene-composite electrodes

In this study, an electro-catalyst of Pt nanoparticles supported by polypyrrole-functionalized graphene (Pt/PPy-reduced graphene oxide [RGO]) is reported. The Pt nanoparticles are deposited on the PPy-RGO composite by chemical reduction of H2PtCl6 using NaBH4. The presence of graphene (RGO) caused higher activity. This might have been due to increased electro-chemically accessible surface areas, increased electronic conductivity, and easier charge-transfer at polymer-electrolyte interfaces, allowing higher dispersion and utilization of the deposited Pt nano-particles. Microstructure, morphology and crystallinity of the synthesized materials were investigated using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed successful deposition of Pt nano-particles, with crystallite size of about 2.7 nm, on the PPy-RGO support film. Catalytic activity for methanol electro-oxidation in fuel cells was investigated using cyclic voltammetry. The fundamental electrochemical test results indicated that the electro-catalytic activity, for methanol oxidation, of the Pt/PPy-RGO combination was much better than for commercial catalyst.