Electrocatalytic properties of platinum on hard carbon spherules derived from deoiled asphalt for methanol oxidation

In the present contribution, hard carbon spherules (HCSs) were synthesized from a deoiled asphaltene and were used as supporting materials for platinum (Pt) electrocatalyts. Pt nanoparticles were well dispersed on the surface of HCSs by an impregnation–reduction method. The morphology and microstructure of the as-prepared Pt/HCSs composites were studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) techniques. The electrocatalytic properties of the Pt/HCS electrode for methanol oxidation were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and high electrocatalytic activity was observed.