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Using the Multiple SEA Method to Synthesize Pt/Carbon Xerogel Electrocatalysts for PEMFC Applications
Author(s) -
Zubiaur A.,
Chatenet M.,
Maillard F.,
Lambert S. D.,
Pirard J.P.,
Job N.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
fuel cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.485
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1615-6854
pISSN - 1615-6846
DOI - 10.1002/fuce.201300208
Subject(s) - catalysis , transmission electron microscopy , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , electrolyte , adsorption , carbon fibers , materials science , stripping (fiber) , specific surface area , chemical engineering , rotating disk electrode , electrochemistry , chemistry , electrode , nuclear chemistry , nanotechnology , cyclic voltammetry , organic chemistry , composite material , composite number , engineering
Pt/carbon xerogel (CX) catalysts were synthesized by the multiple strong electrostatic adsorption (SEA) method. This method consists of the impregnation of a carbon support (here, a CX) by a solution containing hexachloroplatinic acid (H 2 PtCl 6 ). The impregnation pH is precisely chosen to maximize the ion/support interactions. The Pt precursor solution can be re‐used so as to avoid Pt waste during the process. Five catalysts with increasing Pt weight percentage were synthesized by multiple impregnation (from one to five times), and were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and CO stripping. The specific activity of the Pt particles for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was measured in liquid electrolyte with a rotating disk electrode system. The Pt particles are ca. 2.5 nm in diameter and display electroactive specific surface areas of ca. 95 cm 2 g Pt –1 . The five Pt/CX catalysts present the same specific activity for the ORR: for all the catalysts, the specific activity equals ca. 0.05 mA cm –2 Pt at 0.85 V versus NHE and 0.01 mA cm –2 Pt at 0.9 V versus NHE.