Neutral red as electron transfer mediator: enhanced electrocatalytic activity of platinum catalyst for methanol electro-oxidation

Organic molecule neutral red (NR), as electron transfer mediator, was introduced in the anodic electrocatalyst system for methanol oxidation and the resulting electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, polarization method, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. For the same loading mass of platinum catalyst, 1.25 times larger exchange current density, 1.83 times higher specific activity, and better long-term cycle stability can be obtained at Pt/NR/graphite electrode, as compared to the electrode without NR. These results indicate that neutral red plays an important role on the enhanced electrocatalytic activity of platinum catalyst for methanol oxidation.