Enhanced Electrocatalytic Oxidation Activity of Pt Nanowire Electrode for Methanol in Alkaline Medium

Pt nanowires were prepared by the alternating current deposition method using porous anodic alumina as templates. The organization morphology, crystal structure and chemical state of Pt nanowires were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The electrocatalytic performance of Pt nanowires was further analyzed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and timing current (i-t) methods in potassium hydroxide solution. The results show that the diameter of Pt nanowires is about 65 similar to 75 nm, and radial surfaces of nanowires present burr state. Pt nanowires are polycrystalline structure and simple substance. Pt nanowires electrode has higher electrocatalytic oxidation activity for methanol in alkaline medium than in acid medium and is 1.38 times higher than the standard Pt/C catalyst (JM company). Moreover, the catalytic mechanism was briefly analyzed.