Preparation of electro-catalytic Pt nano-particles using gaseous reducing agents

Abstract

Electro-catalytically active Pt nano-particles were prepared on conductive substrates using gaseous reducing agents, such as ethylene glycol or propanediol following drop coating of the precursor complex. In view of the low temperature used in the reduction process, this method was also tested on thermally unstable substrates that could be used to fabricate flexible DSSCs. No difference in the particle size and distribution was observed when the reducing agents were changed, indicating that the type of reducing agent plays only a minor role in the formation of the metallic particles. The main difference in respect to the reducing agents was the temperature required for reduction, the highest being 150 °C. The resulting layer had good adhesion to the substrate and a high catalytic surface area. XPS was used to confirm that 100 % of the deposited Pt was in the metallic state. SEM and TEM were used for the determination of the particle size and the distribution of nano-particles. The Pt nano-particles showed promising electro-catalytic activity, as was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry and with their application in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Graphical abstract