Synthesis of Au@Pt Core-Shell Nanoparticles with High Electro-catalytic Activity of Methanol Oxidation by Photochemical Seeding Growth

[email protected] core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized by photochemical seeding growth method in PEG-acetone system, in which the thickness of Pt shell could be controlled by changing the molar ratio of Au seed to Pt(IV). The morphology and size of synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by using UV-Vis, TEM, HR-TEM and XPS. These also proved their core-shell structure. The electrochemical tests indicated that the [email protected] core-shell structure nanoparticles were active and stable in the reaction of methanol catalytic oxidation. When the molar ratio of Au to Pt was 1:1, the activity of composite nanoparticles was the highest, which was 304.8% higher than that of Pt/C. Electro-catalytic activity of the [email protected] core-shell nanoparticles is little affected by temperature.