Exploration of biogenic Pt nanoparticles by using agricultural waste (Saccharum officinarum L. Bagasse Extract) as nanocatalyst for the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol N.A.I.M. Ishak a,⇑ , S.K. Kamarudin a,b , S.N. Timmiati a , S. Basri a , N.A. Karim a a Fuel Cell Institute (SELFUEL), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia b Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia article info Article history: Received 7 July 2020 Received in revised form 11 October 2020 Accepted 17 October 2020 Available online xxxx Keywords: Bioreduction Platinum nanoparticles Saccharum officinarum L. Antioxidant Methanol oxidation reaction abstract A novel, facile, environmentally benign, cost-effective and one-pot chemical reduction synthesis was used as a biosynthetic approach to fabricate Pt nanoparticles. In this context, the biogenic Pt was pro- duced in situ through the bioreduction of the reductive active biomolecule compounds from agricultural waste, namely, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) bagasse extract (SBE). The structure, surface mor- phology and chemical composition of the obtained biogenic Pt were characterised using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission elec- tron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the gas chro- matography–mass spectrometry showed high amounts of phenolics and flavonoids that were responsible for the bioreduction process. The in vitro antioxidant properties, such as free radical scaveng- ing activity, total phenolic content, ferrous reducing antioxidant power and Bradford protein assays, were also examined. The electrochemical activity proved that the biogenic Pt NPs, which were successfully reduced by SBE, had high electrocatalytic activity, remarkable utilisation efficiency of Pt and appreciable stability towards the CH 3 OH electro-oxidation reaction. Furthermore, the biogenic Pt endowed potent antioxidant activity that could scavenge the free radicals with 81.9% inhibition capacity. Hence, this paper presents a simple and effective method to produce a robust electrocatalyst for CH 3 OH oxidation reaction via the biosynthesis route. Ó 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Confer- ence of Chemical Engineering & Industrial Biotechnology. 1. Introduction Nowadays, the replacement of dependable fossil stock with alternative energy sources that are environmentally friendly, cost effective, efficient, renewable and sustainable has gained enor- mous interest to adapt to the human civilisation [1]. The fossil is the primary energy source in the human civilisation history since the 1800 s, but its scarcity, toxicity to the environment and the user and the stringent regulation enforcement in several countries to preserve the natural surroundings have become its weakness [2]. Besides, the public awareness regarding the importance of sus- tainable, renewable and green energy has accelerated the search for alternative energy [3]. Therefore, fuel cells may be potential alternative energy sources to answer this challenge. A fuel cell is an energy conversion device that transforms chemical energy into electrical energy. Currently, the direct CH 3 OH fuel cell (DMFC), which exhibits a great and promising potential energy source for portable applications, is the primary topic in fuel cell research [4]. The DMFC has high power density, exceptional reliability, easy charging and nearly zero environmental impact [5]. Pt and its alloy are renowned electrocatalysts for the CH 3 OH electro-oxidation reaction (MOR) in DMFCs [6]. Pt catalysts show high surface energy, high electrochemical surface area and high durability, thereby allowing good reactivity and electrocatalytic activity for the MOR [7,8]. Pt has the highest activity on the dissociative adsorption of CH 3 OH, resulting in the preferable application in DMFCs [9]. With the impetus of green chemistry, Pt is used in the synthesis that utilises the biogenic route with a plant- mediated extract. This strategy offers an environmentally benign https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.10.499 2214-7853/Ó 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Conference of Chemical Engineering & Industrial Biotechnology. ⇑ Corresponding author at: Fuel Cell Institute (SELFUEL), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. E-mail address: atiqahizzati89@gmail.com (N.A.I.M. Ishak). Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Materials Today: Proceedings journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/matpr Please cite this article as: N.A.I.M. Ishak, S.K. Kamarudin, S.N. Timmiati et al., Exploration of biogenic Pt nanoparticles by using agricultural waste (Saccharum officinarum L. Bagasse Extract) as nanocatalyst for the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol, Materials Today: Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.10.499