Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of wet synthesis conditions on the microstructure and active surface area of Pt/C catalysts

  • Published:
Inorganic Materials Aims and scope

Abstract

Nanostructured Pt/C electrocatalysts containing about 20 wt % Pt have been produced by chemical reduction in Pt(IV) solutions. The nature of the reductant (sodium borohydride, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, or formic acid) and the associated changes in synthesis conditions have a significant effect on the structural characteristics of the materials obtained. In particular, the average size of Pt nanoparticles (crystallites) ranges from 1.8 to 5.5 nm. The largest electrochemically active surface area of the Pt in the catalysts obtained in this study (128 m2/g Pt) considerably exceeds that of E-TEK, a commercially available Pt/C catalyst similar in composition ( 110 m2/g Pt).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gasteiger, H.A., Kocha, S.S., Sompalli, B., et al., Activity benchmarks and requirements for Pt, Pt-alloy, and non-Pt oxygen reduction catalysts for PEMFCs, Appl. Catal. B, 2005, vol. 56, pp. 9–35.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Shao-Horn, Y., Sheng, W.C., Chen, S., et al., Instability of supported platinum nanoparticles in low-temperature fuel cells, Top. Catal., 2007, vol. 46, pp. 285–305.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Yaroslavtsev, A.B., Dobrovol’skii, Yu.A., Shaglaeva, N.S., et al., Nanostructured materials for low-temperature fuel cells, Usp. Khim., 2012, vol. 81, pp. 191–220.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Tarasevich, M.R., State-of-the-art cathode catalysts and related fuel cells, Al’tern. Energ. Ekol., 2010, vol. 85, no. 5, pp. 135–137.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Zhang, J., Wang, X., Wu, C., et al., Preparation and characterization of Pt/C catalysts for PEMFC cathode: effect of different reduction methods, React. Kinet. Catal. Lett., 2004, vol. 83, no. 2, pp. 229–236.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Chen, J., Jiang, C., Yang, X., et al., Studies on how to obtain the best catalytic activity of Pt/C catalyst by three reduction routes for methanol electro-oxidation, Electrochem. Commun., 2011, vol. 13, pp. 314–316.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Ma, H-C., Xue, X-Z., Liao, J-H., et al., Effect of borohydride as reducing agent on the structures and electrochemical properties of Pt/C catalyst, Appl. Surf. Sci., 2006, vol. 252, pp. 8593–8597.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Prabhuram, J., Zhao, T.S., Wong, C.W., et al., Synthesis and physical/electrochemical characterization of Pt/C nanocatalyst for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, J. Power Sources, 2004, vol. 134, pp. 1–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Nores-Pondala, F.J., Vilellab, I.M., Troianic, H., et al., Catalytic activity vs. size correlation in platinum catalysts of PEM fuel cells prepared on carbon black by different methods, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2009, vol. 34, pp. 8193–8203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Qi, J., Jiang, L.H., Jing, M.Y., et al., Preparation of Pt/C via a polyol process—investigation on carbon support adding sequence, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2011, vol. 36, pp. 10 490–10 501.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Favilla, P.C., Acosta, J.J., Schvezov, C.E., et al., Size control of carbon-supported platinum nanoparticles made using polyol method for low temperature fuel cells, Chem. Eng. Sci., 2013, vol. 101, pp. 27–34.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Guterman, V.E., Pakharev, A.Y., Tabachkova, N.Y., et al., Microstructure and size effects in Pt/C and Pt3Ni/C electrocatalysts synthesised in solutions based on binary organic solvents, Appl. Catal., A, 2013, vol. 453, pp. 113–120.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Guterman, V.E., Belenov, S.V., Dymnikova, O.V., et al., Influence of water-organic solvent composition on composition and structure of Pt/C and PtxNi/C electrocatalysts in borohydride synthesis, Inorg. Mater., 2009, vol. 45, no. 5, pp. 498–505.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Pabst, W. and Gregorová, E., Characterization of Particles and Particle Systems, Prague: ICT, 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Guterman, V.E., Lastovina, T.A., Belenov, S.V., et al., PtM/C (M = Ni, Cu, or Ag) electrocatalysts: effects of alloying components on morphology and electrochemically active surface areas, J. Solid State Electrochem., 2014, vol. 18, pp. 1307–1317.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Gusev, A.I., Nanomaterialy, nanostruktury, nanotekhnologii (Nanomaterials, Nanostructures, and Nanotechnologies), Moscow: Fizmatlit, 2009.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Faculty, Southern Federal University, Zorge st., 7, Rostov-on-Don, 344090, Russia

    A. A. Alekseenko, V. E. Guterman, V. A. Volochaev & S. V. Belenov

Authors
  1. A. A. Alekseenko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. V. E. Guterman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. V. A. Volochaev
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. V. Belenov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to V. E. Guterman.

Additional information

Original Russian Text © A.A. Alekseenko, V.E. Guterman, V.A. Volochaev, S.V. Belenov, 2015, published in Neorganicheskie Materialy, 2015, Vol. 51, No. 12, pp. 1355–1360

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Alekseenko, A.A., Guterman, V.E., Volochaev, V.A. et al. Effect of wet synthesis conditions on the microstructure and active surface area of Pt/C catalysts. Inorg Mater 51, 1258–1263 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0020168515120018

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0020168515120018

Keywords

Search

Navigation