CNT/PAMAM LbL Films for the Electrogeneration of PtCo Electrocatalysts

Herein we demonstrate that LbL films comprising PAMAM dendrimers and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are efficient for controlling the morphology of electrogenerated platinum-cobalt (PtCo) nanostructures. While Co grew to the micrometer scale and poorly covered the ITO substrate, with the LbL matrix it was kept in the nanoscale regime and provided full substrate coverage. Co-decorated Pt nanoparticles were then generated with a single potential pulse in a solution containing simultaneously Co and Pt ions. Segregation of Pt and Co deposits was observed with field emission gun (FEG) images, but PtCo alloy was probably formed to some extent according to X-ray diffraction. The PtCo-LbL hybrid exhibited superior catalytic activity toward H₂O₂ reduction than the Pt-modified LbL film, which opens new prospects for applications in biosensing and fuel cells. Furthermore, the method based on LbL films as matrix is entirely generic and may be extended to other materials.