Berberine-modified carbon surfaces as supports for platinum-based anode electrodes in alcohol electro-oxidation

Berberine-modified carbon-supported Pt nanocatalysts were synthesized by a reduction method and evaluated for methanol and ethanol electrooxidation. Berberine, extracted from Coscinium fenestratum (Goetgh.) Colebr., introduced oxygen- and nitrogen-containing functional groups onto carbon supports (CNTs, FCNTs, and CB), enhancing metal–support interactions and promoting uniform Pt nanoparticle dispersion. TEM, XRD, FT-IR, and Raman analyses confirmed well-dispersed, highly crystalline Pt nanoparticles on defect-enriched carbon matrices. Electrochemical measurements revealed that Pt/Berb–Carbon catalysts outperformed commercial Pt/C, exhibiting lower onset potentials, higher peak current densities, and reduced charge-transfer resistance. Notably, Pt/10.0Berb–FCNTs showed onset potentials of 0.200 V (methanol) and 0.163 V (ethanol) vs. Ag/AgCl, higher mass activities (1042 and 1320 mA mgPt −1 ), and superior stability (48.26 and 86.08 mA mgPt −1 at 3600 s) compared with commercial Pt/C. Tafel and EIS analyses further confirmed enhanced reaction kinetics and more facile electron transfer on berberine-modified carbon supports. These results highlight berberine as a green and effective surface modifier, offering a sustainable and scalable strategy for high-performance Pt-based anode catalysts in direct alcohol fuel cells. • Berberine from Coscinium fenestratum enables carbon support functionalization. • Berberine adds O- and N-groups, strengthening metal–support interactions. • Pt/Berb–Carbon shows higher activity and stability than commercial Pt/C. • Pt/10.0Berb–FCNTs deliver top performance for methanol and ethanol oxidation.