Graphitic-C₃N₄ quantum dots modified carbon nanotubes as a novel support material for a low Pt loading fuel cell catalyst

Abstract

A novel graphitic-C3N4 quantum dot modified carbon nanotube composite supported PtRu catalyst is prepared by π–π stacking. The enhanced catalytic performance of the catalyst is due to the better dispersion of PtRu NPs and the strong metal–support interaction (SMSI).

Reduced graphene oxide supported C3N4 nanoflakes and quantum dots as metal-free catalysts for visible light assisted CO2 reduction

“…The structural transformation of C 3 N 4 nanosheets to QDs is also verified by UV–visible spectroscopy (Supporting Information File 1, Figure S4). The C 3 N 4 nanosheet exhibits a sharp peak at ≈316 nm, which is shifted to ≈285 nm (higher energy) after the formation of QDs (CN-5 QD) due to the breaking of C=N links [39]. Hence, XRD, XPS, IR and UV studies show the successful structural transformation of g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets to QDs and the presence of possible organic functionalities in the GCN-5.…”

Graphitic carbon nitride-based nanostructures as emergent catalysts for carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation

“…157 The same findings were also reported using PtRu/ carbon-nanotube-g-C 3 N 4 quantum dots (PtRu/CNT-QDs), with a MOR mass activity 2.3 times higher than PtRu/CNT, as well as 15.1% greater durability and 56.5% decrease in Pt loading. 158 g-C 3 N 4 QDs not only acted as a bridge between CNTs and PtRu nanoparticles but also donated electrons to Pt, resulting in a SMSI between PtRu and QDs leading to the homogeneous dispersion of PtRu nanoparticles and decreased CO-poisoning via promoting H 2 O dissociation and enhancing the stability. 158 In these reports, one question arises because the PtRu nanoparticles are not supported directly on g-C 3 N 4 , so the SMSI can occur between PtRu and C in PtRu/C@g-C 3 N 4 156 or GO in PtRu/G 75 -(CN 25 ) 157 or CNTs in PtRu/ CNT-QDs.…”

Synthesis and Characterization of Platinum and Platinum based Alloy Nanoparticles Anchored on Various Carbon Materials for Methanol Oxidation in a DMFC – A Short Review

“…Similarly, pure carbon nanotubes have no functional groups for anchoring metal nanoparticles. Therefore, in order to enhance their bonding with the metal nanoparticles they are also acid functionalized by treating them with a mixture of H2SO4 and HNO3 or some other functionalized materials including oxygen, S or conducting polymers [47][48][49][50][51]. Recently N-doped rGO, CNTs and graphene modified by N doped C etc have been used as excellent materials for the anchoring of metal nanoparticles owing to strong metal-support interaction induced by N groups [52][53][54][55][56][57][58].…”

“…The essential parameter for these catalysts is they should have the large electrochemical surface area, homogeneous dispersion on support materials, more favorable Pt-Pt distance should be able to remove CO from the Pt surface. It has been found that best results towards MOR are obtained if Pt is alloyed with 3-d transition metals (Fe, Co, Ni, Pd, Cu) [6,19,[63][64][65][66][67][68] etc as well as Ru and Pd [5,47,[68][69][70] in different compositions deposited homogeneously on a number of support materials as mentioned above. Although among the bimetallic alloys of Pt, PtRu has catalyst has been found to exhibit much better electrochemical behavior towards methanol oxidation, the supply of Ru is also very limited [13].…”