Electrodeposition of platinum on tourmaline and application as an electrocatalyst for oxidation of methanol

A composite electrode of Pt nanoparticles coupled with tourmaline is prepared on glassy carbon (GC) disk electrode via electrodeposition. The nanocomposite of Pt/tourmaline is characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy examinations linked with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The electrocatalytic performance of the composite electrode (Pt/tourmaline/GC) is investigated in electrocatalysis oxidation of methanol at room temperature by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. It is indicated that Pt nanoparticles with size of ∼5 nm are uniformly assembled along the tourmaline particles and Pt exists in metallic and oxidated states confirmed by XPS. The results of electro-oxidation of methanol show that Pt/tourmaline catalyst is catalytically more active and stable than platinum-modified GC electrode, and the onset potential of Pt/tourmaline shifts 0.15 V to the negative side, and also the current density is significantly enhanced.