synthesis of n-doped graphene based platinum nanoparticles as anode catalyst for use in direct methanol fuel cell

in this study, n-doped graphene-based platinum nanocatalysts were synthesized at different temperatures using melamine as a nitrogen source and were compared to the commercial 40% wt. platinum on carbon catalyst. graphene oxide was examined by x-ray diffraction pattern (xrd), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ftir) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (fesem). proper distribution of nitrogen was determined by elemental mapping. electrochemical measurements were performed to determine the electrochemically active surface area (ecasa) of synthesized materials. the results of electrochemical measurements established that in some cases of higher temperatures, n-doped graphene based catalysts show a better activity for the methanol oxidation over the commercial 40% wt. platinum on carbon catalyst for fuel cell applications.