Effect of polyaniline pyrolysison activity of platinum nanoparticles supported by a composite of Vulcan - polyaniline

Polyaniline fiber (P ANI) was synthesized by chemical interfacial method, doped with Para toluene sulfonic acid (PTSA) and utilized to fabricate Vulcan-Polyaniline (C-P ANI) composite. Pt/CP ANI electro-catalyst with 20% wt P ANI was synthesized by impregnation method. This catalyst was heat treated at 300 °C, 500 °C and 800 °C under Ar atmosphere and the effect of heat treatment temperature on methanol oxidation activity and CO tolerance of Pt/C-PANI electro-catalyst was investigated. It was shown that heat treatment of the catalyst up to 300 °C has no significant effect on structure and activity of catalyst. Heat treatment of the catalyst at 800 °C causes to Pt agglomeration and decrease the methanol oxidation activity and CO tolerance. Results revealed that, the peak current density and onset potential in methanol electro-oxidation and electrochemical surface area of the Pt/C-PANI catalyst heat treated at 500 °C were all markedly improved for the synthesized material. Moreover, this catalyst was demonstrated to be more CO tolerant according to the CO stripping voltammetry test. It can be concluded that heat treated Pt/C-P ANI catalyst at 500 °C can be effective anode electro-catalyst for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC).