Sputter deposition of Pt nanoparticles on free-standing graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid paper as high-performance flexible electrocatalytic electrode.

• Main Author: Zheng, Xi.
• Other Authors: School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Bioengineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/50972
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The development of flexible electrodes is of considerable interest because of the increasing demand for flexible energy conversion/storage units, on-chip power sources, implantable biochemical devices and biochips. This project reports a new type of flexible electrocatalytic electrode based on Pt nanoparticles decorated flexible free-standing graphene-carbon nanotube paper. Carbon nanotubes were incorporated in graphene to improve the mechanical strength and electrical conductivity of the paper electrode. The Pt nanoparticles were highly loaded on the graphene-carbon nanotube paper by a well-controlled sputter deposition to further enhance catalytic activity of the paper electrode. The resultant hybrid electrode exhibited unique mechanical, morphological, electrochemical properties, especially superb electrocatalytic properties and therefore, opens new possibility to develop high-performance portable medical products and flexible energy conversion/storage units. The remarkable catalytic activity of the resultant hybrid paper electrode towards the electrooxidation of methanol, together with its high stability and anti-poisoning activity make the electrode a promising candidate in direct methanol fuel cell applications.