Open AccessPreparation and Characterization of Electrolessly Deposited Platimum and Palladium Nanoparticles on Pyrolyzed Photoresist Films on Silicon Substrates
Author(s) -
Vivian L. Liang,
Raymond Chan,
Oliver Chyan
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
american journal of undergraduate research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2375-8732
pISSN - 1536-4585
DOI - 10.33697/ajur.2002.004
Subject(s) - materials science , palladium , photoresist , silicon , platinum , chemical engineering , scanning electron microscope , nanoparticle , pyrolysis , cyclic voltammetry , inorganic chemistry , electrochemistry , electrode , nanotechnology , catalysis , composite material , metallurgy , chemistry , organic chemistry , layer (electronics) , engineering
The effects of metal depositions on pyrolyzed photoresist films (PPF) grown on silicon substrates were investigated. A silicon chip, spin-coated with a positive photoresist was pyrolyzed through heating to form a PPF, or a conductive carbon film. For increasing periods of time, nanometersized metal particles of platinum and palladium were spontaneously deposited on conductive carbon films by immersion in solutions of 0.049% HF containing 100 ppm, 200 ppm, and 500 ppm concentrations of metal ions Pt2+ or Pd2+. Following each hour of deposition, the electrochemical behavior of the metal-deposited carbon films were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, utilizing a 0.1 M H2SO4 electrolyte system. The electron-transfer rates and characteristics of hydrogen evolution exhibited positive catalytic effects when the platinum and palladium nanoparticles were deposited on the carbon films. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis were employed to characterize the surface morphology and distribution of metal nanoparticles on the PPF surface based on metal ion concentration and deposition time. The depositions of metal nanoparticles accelerate the electron transfer process, which could improve the efficiency and performance of PPF electrodes in the production of hydrogen fuel.