LAUSR

Abstract A galvanic reduction strategy was applied on Pt nanoparticles decorated on Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) for preparing a modified electrode for the first time in this study. In this regards, the electrode was modified by the networks of connected platinum nanoparticles supported on MWCNTs with low Pt loading. Based on the proposed method, deposited PtCl2 on MWCNTs was directly reduced to metallic Pt nanostructure using a zinc sheet in HCl (2%w/w) solution. The physical and electrochemical characters of resultant electrocatalyst were identified via Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), and Chronoamperometry (CHA). The as-prepared Pt/MWCNTs catalyst was utilized for oxidation of methanol in alkaline electrolyte and showed higher catalytic activity (about 10 times) and durability compared to commercial Pt/C. Additionally, the tolerance to carbonaceous intermediates accumulation was greatly improved. The proposed method is not only very simple, fast and environmentally friendly but also does not require any advanced equipment and therefore can be used for production of variously modified electrodes.