Te Nanotubes Decorated with Pt Nanoparticles for Fuel Cell Applications

In this communication we report the synthesis, characterization and applications of TeNTs decorated with PtNPs readily prepared by two simple steps to make a GC modified electrode suitable to be used as anode/cathode in fuel cells. In the 1^th step the large scale of Te nanotubes synthesis was obtained via a vapor deposition method; then in the 2^nd step TeNTs dispersed in methanol react with PtCl₂ to make TeNTs/PtNPs. Modified electrodes TeNTs/PtNPs/GC were then made by casting 20 μL of TeNTs/PtNPs/ethanol suspension onto GC surface and left to evaporate at room temperature. The as synthesized hybrid nanostructures, fully characterized by XRD, TEM and XPS analysis, were composed of Te nanotubes decorated with Pt nanoparticles. The electrochemical characterization of TeNTs/PtNPs composite material, performed by cyclic voltammetry (CV), showed exceptional electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidations and oxygen reduction.