Uniformly dispersed platinum nanoparticles over nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide as an efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with efficient activity and stability is significant for fuel cells. Herein, platinum (Pt) nanoparticles dispersed on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) were prepared by a hydrothermal and carbonized approach for the electrocatalysis of ORR. Polyvinylpyrrolidone plays a significant role in the reduction and dispersion of platinum particles (about 2 nm). The obtained Pt–N-rGO hybrids exhibited superior activity with an electron transfer number of ∼4.0, onset potential 0.90 eV of ORR, good stability and methanol tolerance in alkaline media. These results reveal the interactions between Pt–N-rGO and oxygen molecules, which may represent an oxygen modified growth in catalyst preparation. The excellent electrocatalysis may lead to the decreased consumption of expensive Pt and open up new opportunities for applications in lithium air batteries.