Preparation of Platinum Deposited Graphene Oxide Modified g-C₃N₄ via Thermal Annealing for Methanol Electrooxidation

Platinum (Pt) deposited on graphene oxide modified g-C₃N₄ hybrid material (Pt/GCN) have been prepared by thermal annealing approach of graphene oxide (GO) and melamine for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The synthesis route involves the reduction of GO and polymerization of melamine, simultaneously. Analysis by SEM or TEM revealed that the morphology of products was changed from nanoparticles of melamine monomers into nanosheets of g-C₃N₄. The Pt/GCN exhibits well-dispersed platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) in the range of 2 to 5 nm. Moreover, it demonstrates enhanced catalytic activity such as large electrochemically active surface areas, unusual CO tolerance compared to Pt/thermal reduced graphene sheets (TRG) and Pt/C catalysts. These results found that the GCN is capable of chemically active sites for use in catalytic reaction and anchoring sites for Pt NPs decoration.