Design and preparation of CNT@SnO2 core-shell composites with thin shell and its application for ethanol oxidation

A novel electrocatalyst structure of carbon nanotubes (CNT) coated with thin SnO2 and Pt (Pt/(CNT@SnO2)) is reported. The CNT@SnO2 composites with a thin shell (about 2 nm) are prepared by a simple chemical-solution method. The Pt/(CNT@SnO2) catalyst is prepared by first microwave heating H2PtCl6 in NaOH ethylene glycol solution and then depositing Pt nanoparticles onto CNT@SnO2 composites. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction show that crystalline SnO2 of about 2 nm thickness is coated uniformly on the surface of the CNTs. Pt nanoparticles of about 3.2 nm in diameter are homogenously dispersed on the SnO2 surface. Electrochemical studies were carried out using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results showed that Pt/(CNT@SnO2) catalysts have much higher catalytic activity and CO-tolerance for ethanol electro-oxidation than that of Pt/CNT.