Hierarchically structured Ir@Pt/C composite as an efficient catalyst for glucose electro-oxidation.

This work reports a hierarchically structured Ir@Pt/C nanocomposite as a glucose oxidation catalyst for direct glucose fuel cell (DGFC). Ir@Pt/C is prepared by hierarchical assemblies through microwave-assisted polyol processes (MAPPs). X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy disperse analysis of X-ray (EDAX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are employed to characterize the material structure and morphology, which reveal that Ir@Pt composite with an average particle size of 2.1 nm is well dispersed on Vulcan XC-72 support. Electrochemical tests indicate that the electrochemical surface area (ESA) of the as-prepared Ir@Pt/C catalyst is 24.6% higher than that of Pt/C, and the catalytic activity towards glucose oxidation is about 3 times higher than that of Pt/C catalyst. Ir@Pt/C has been proved to be a potential glucose oxidation catalyst for DGFC application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]