An efficient photo-assisted BiOBr nanoplates support for electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation

作者:Hu, Sujuan*; Jiang, Lei; Tu, Yujiao; Cui, Yan; Wang, Baoling; Ma, Yinhai; Zhang, Yu
来源:Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2018, 86: 113-119.
DOI:10.1016/j.jtice.2018.02.024

摘要

Herein, visible-light driven BiOBr nanoplates with fully exposed (001) facet are for the first time adopted as Pt nanoparticles support for electrocatalytic methanol oxidation. We found that, as Pt nanoparticles support, high specific surface area of BiOBr (001) nanoplates not only can be driven by visible-light to produce photogenerated electrons and holes, but also benefit to the dispersion of Pt nanoparticles. When Pt-BiOBr (001) nanocomposites electrode exposed into the simulated solar light irradiation and visible light irradiation, it exhibits 5.2 and 2.4 times higher electrocatalytic activities for methanol oxidation than dark condition, respectively. Synergistic effects between electrocatalytic and photocatalytic methanol oxidation as well as the efficient interfacial charger separation in Pt-BiOBr (001) electrode contribute to the enhanced electrocatalytic methanol oxidation activities. The present results suggest that BiOBr (001) nanoplates can be used as photo-assisted Pt nanoparticles support in direct methanol fuel cell.