Using the Multiple SEA Method to Synthesize Pt/Carbon Xerogel Electrocatalysts for PEMFC Applications1. Issue 3 (2nd May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zubiaur, A.; Chatenet, M.; Maillard, F.; Lambert, S. D.; Pirard, J.‐P.; Job, N.; Steiner, Nadia; Hissel, Daniel; Bultel, Yann
• Is Part Of: Fuel cells. Volume 14:Issue 3(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 343
• Page End: 349
• Publication Date: 2014-05-02
• Subjects: Fuel cells -- Periodicals; 621.312429
• DOI: 10.1002/fuce.201300208
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1615-6846

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>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 (H₂PtCl₆). 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 cm² 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 <italic>versus</italic> NHE and 0.01 mA cm^–2_Pt at 0.9 V <italic>versus</italic> NHE.</p> </abstract>