Mono- and Multilayers of Platinum Nanoparticles and Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) as Nanostructures for Methanol Electroxidation

The interaction between platinum nanoparticles and polypyrrole or poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) soluble in apolar solvents has been investigated. Regular and full monolayers and multilayers are produced via solution processing of platinum nanoparticles and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene). The new layered materials, obtained with the layer-by-layer technique and characterized by cyclic voltammetry, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and conductivity, are uniform, stable and mechanically robust. Catalytic oxidation of methanol on such layers occurs at levels comparable with that of a bare platinum surface.