Electrocatalysts Depositen on Poly(N-methylpyrrole)/Nafion Composite Films I. Anodic Oxidation of Ethanol at Platinum Microparticle

Abstract

Anodic oxidation of ethanol was investigated on a platinum (Pt) microparticle electrocatalyst. The Pt catalyst was chemically deposited on a poly(N-methylpyrrole)/Nafion composite film formed on a glassy carbon (GC) support. The initial specific activity of the electrocatalyst, which was evaluated by the anodic current per Pt-loading observed on a cyclic voltammogram, was improved by modifying the GC surface with the polymeric composite film. The optimum thickness of the polymeric film gave the highest activity for ethanol oxidation. The modification of the GC support with the polymeric composite was also effective to depress the activity fading with the duration of the anodic polarization at a constant potential.