Graphene-supported platinum/nickel phosphide electrocatalyst with improved activity and stability for methanol oxidation

In this paper, we report a novel catalyst using Ni(2)P as a cocatalyst of Pt supported on graphene for methanol oxidation. The results reveal that the electrocatalytic activity and stability of the as-prepared catalyst for methanol oxidation are significantly enhanced by the addition of Ni(2)P. The reason for the increased activity and stability is ascribed to complex electron transfer between Pt, Ni(2)P, and graphene, which gives rise to the eventual promotion of CO(ads) electrooxidation reaction kinetics. The present study implies that the as-prepared Pt–Ni(2)P/graphene will be a promising candidate as an anode electrocatalyst in direct methanol fuel cells.