Abstract

Synthesis of mono-dispersed Pt/MWCNTs has been performed. Platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) were grown directly on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) through sol-gel method using NaBH4 as reducing agent.       120 mg of activated MWCNT were weighed and then incorporated into the mixture (1) and sonicated for 2 hours to form the mixture (2). H₂PtCl₆ was weighed as much as 90 mg and dissolved into 45 mL of ethylene glycol until formed mixture (3). Solution (3) was dropwise every 3 seconds into the mixture (2). After that the mixture was distilled for 12 hours at a rate of 450 rpm. Subsequently the mixture was sonicated for 3 hours, then checked its pH, adjusting the desired pH to 4, 7, or 13 using the mixture 2M NaOH-ethylene glycol. The tests include SEM, EDS, XRD, and TEM for the morphologies and microstructures of the mono-dispersed Pt/MWCNT. The result of SEM observation and the analysis of the element using EDS found that the composite sample looked homogenous and contained element of C (MWCNT) and Pt (platinum). From the XRD shows that the composite Pt/MWCNT of the product synthesized without the reducing agent consists of three phases, namely C (MWCNTs), Pt (platinum), and H₂PtH₄, while the product synthesized using NaBH₄ reducing agent consist of two phases, namely C (MWCNTs) and Pt (platinum ). The TEM image shows that the Pt NPs are spherical in size ~ 5 nm. Pt NPs appear to be attached on MWCNTs, either agglomerated or dispersed on the surface of MWCNTs. This paper will be compared between Pt/MWCNTs synthesis results with and without using NaBH₄ reducing agent, as well as dispersed Pt NPs on MWCNTs.

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