Preparation and physical/electrochemical characterization of Pt/poly(vinylferrocenium) electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation

Preparation and characterization of a platinum (Pt)-based catalyst using a redox polymer, poly(vinylferrocenium) (PVF⁺), as the support material was described. Pt was obtained from aqueous solution of K₂PtCl₄ in the complex form. Pt particles were reduced by chemical and electrochemical means. Chemical reduction was performed using aqueous hydrazine solution and electrochemical reduction was carried out in H₂SO₄ solution. The Pt/PVF⁺ catalyst system showed catalytic activity towards methanol oxidation. Cyclic voltammetry was used for the electrochemical characterization of the catalyst system. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS) of the catalyst system were also recorded. The system was tested in a single fuel cell configuration at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. The open circuit voltage (OCV) was 680 mV for the system and the maximum power density was 0.31 mW cm⁻² at a current density of 0.63 mA cm⁻². Catalytic activity of Pt/PVF⁺ system towards methanol oxidation was comparable with the related catalysts in the literature.