In this study, an electro-catalyst of Pt nanoparticles supported by polypyrrole-functionalized
graphene (Pt/PPy-reduced graphene oxide [RGO]) is reported. The Pt nanoparticles are deposited
on the PPy-RGO composite by chemical reduction of H2PtCl6 using NaBH4. The
presence of graphene (RGO) caused higher activity. This might have been due to increased
electro-chemically accessible surface areas, increased electronic conductivity, and easier
charge-transfer at polymer-electrolyte interfaces, allowing higher dispersion and utilization
of the deposited Pt nano-particles. Microstructure, morphology and crystallinity of the
synthesized materials were investigated using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron
microscopy. The results showed successful deposition of Pt nano-particles, with crystallite
size of about 2.7 nm, on the PPy-RGO support film. Catalytic activity for methanol electrooxidation
in fuel cells was investigated using cyclic voltammetry. The fundamental electrochemical
test results indicated that the electro-catalytic activity, for methanol oxidation, of
the Pt/PPy-RGO combination was much better than for commercial catalyst.