Facile synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon–Pt nanoparticle hybrids via carbonization of poly([Bvim][Br]-co-acrylonitrile) for electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol

A polymerizable ionic liquid (IL), 1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium bromide ([Bvim][Br]), was synthesized and copolymerized with acrylonitrile to produce poly(1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium bromide-co-acrylonitrile) (PBA). Carbonization of PBA yielded carbon materials. The carbon yield, nitrogen content and nanostructure of carbon materials are highly dependent on the IL molar ratio in the co-polymers. The synthesized PBA was anion-exchanged with Pt precursor (H2PtCl6) to form [PBA][PtCl6]. Carbonization of [PBA][PtCl6] produced nitrogen-doped carbon–Pt nanohybrids, which showed a high catalytic activity and stability for electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol. The present study provided a novel method for the development of high performance electrocatalysts based on nitrogen-doped carbon–Pt or other noble metals and their alloys for fuel cells or electrochemical sensors.