A novel one-step synthesis of nanocluster-like Pt incorporated reduced graphene oxide as robust nanocatalyst for highly efficient electro-catalytic oxidation of methanol

Nanocluster-like Pt nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite catalyst (NC-PtNPs/RGO) was synthesized through a novel one-step process of chemical reduction-assisted hydrothermal reaction by using formic acid as reducing agent. The crystallinity, morphology and composition of the NC-PtNPs/RGO catalysts were extensively characterized. The as-prepared NC-PtNPs/RGO catalysts exhibited higher electro-catalytic activity towards methanol oxidation than carbon black (CB)/PtNPs catalyst and could be ascribed to the high dispersion of NC-Pt NPs with large electrochemical surface area, release more exposure of active sites by NC-PtNPs structure and synergy effect of RGO.