Preparation and characterization of composite polyaniline materials for catalytic purposes

Composite film electrodes were prepared by open-circuit Pt deposition on polymeric PANI films that were electrosynthesized from aniline acid solutions with suspended carbon particles (CPs). Gold, nickel, and a Ni-based alloy, Nichrome, were used as substrates, and carbon particles, carbon nanotubes (CNT), and Vulcan XC-72R carbon black, suspended in the monomer acid solution, were incorporated into the film. Pt particles were dispersed on films grown on Ni-based substrates by deposition from a Pt(IV) acid solution at open circuit (OC). CNT trapped into the PANI films have a favorable influence on Pt dispersion. The novel composite electrodes showed significant catalytic activity for methanol oxidation.