One-step synthesis of Pt nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide composite with enhanced electrochemical catalytic activity

A one-step electrochemical approach for synthesis of Pt nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide (Pt/RGO) was demonstrated. Graphene oxide (GO) and chloroplatinic acid were reduced to RGO and Pt nanoparticles (Pt NPs) simultaneously, and Pt/RGO composite was deposited on the fluorine doped SnO₂ glass during the electrochemical reduction. The Pt/RGO composite was characterized by field emission-scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which confirmed the reduction of GO and chloroplatinic acid and the formation of Pt/RGO composite. In comparison with Pt NPs and RGO electrodes obtained by the same method, results of cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements showed that the composite electrode had higher catalytic activity and charge transfer rate. In addition, the composite electrode had proved to have better performance in DSSCs than the Pt NPs electrode, which showed the potential application in energy conversion.