Pt particles supported on conducting polymeric nanocones as electro-catalysts for methanol oxidation

The electrochemical synthesis of conducting nanocones of Pt incorporated poly(3-methyl) thiophene, employing alumina membrane templates and its use as an electrode material for methanol oxidation is reported. The activity (131 mA/cm2 at +0.4 V versus Ag/AgCl for a Pt loading of 80 μg/cm2) of nanocone-based electrode was found to be more than one order of magnitude higher compared to the regular poly(3-methyl) thiophene electrode (12.2 mA/cm2 at +0.4 V versus Ag/AgCl for a Pt loading of 80 μg/cm2). The chronoamperometric response confirms the better activity and stability of the nanocone-based electrode compared to the commercial 20 wt.% Pt/C (E-TEK) and template-free electrode. The XPS data confirmed the presence of Pt in the metallic state. The nanocone morphology of poly(3-methyl) thiophene, helps in the effective dispersion of Pt particles facilitating the easier access of methanol to the catalytic sites.