Electrochemical fabrication of novel platinum-poly(5-nitroindole) composite catalyst and its application for methanol oxidation in alkaline medium

A novel composite catalyst, Pt nanoparticles supported on poly(5-nitroindole) (Pt/PNI), has been successfully prepared by the electrochemical method and used for the electrooxidation of methanol in alkaline media. As-prepared Pt/PNI was characterized by SEM, EDX and electrochemical methods. The results of the catalytic activity for methanol oxidation showed that Pt/PNI had higher catalytic activity and stronger poisoning-tolerance than Pt/Pt, Pt/GC and the common Pt electrode. The effects of different parameters related to the methanol oxidation reaction kinetics, such as Pt loading, mass of PNI film, concentration of methanol and KOH, potential scan rate, have also been investigated. The present study showed a promising choice of Pt/PNI as composite catalyst for methanol electrooxidation in alkaline medium.