PdPt catalyst synthesized using a gas aggregation source and magnetron sputtering for fuel cell electrodes. (26th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Caillard, A; Cuynet, S; Lecas, T; Andreazza, P; Mikikian, M; Thomann, A-L; Brault, P
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 48:Number 47(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-10-26
• Subjects: gas aggregation source -- magnetron sputtering -- platinum -- nanoclusters -- catalyst; Physics -- Periodicals; 530
• DOI: 10.1088/0022-3727/48/47/475302
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3727

Abstract

Abstract: PdPt catalysts with different morphologies and atomic ratios have been synthesized on native SiO2 /Si and on proton exchange membranes. The combination of the gas aggregation source and magnetron sputtering techniques allows the formation of quasi core-shell Pd0.97 Pt0.03 @Pt nanoclusters. Transmission electron microscopy and grazing incidence wide-angle x-ray scattering measurements of the Pd-rich core reveal a mean diameter of 4 nm and a face-centered cubic structure. The Pt shell around half of the Pd-rich core is formed by magnetron sputtering, and increases the nanocluster diameter (up to 10 nm) and the overall Pt content (up to 85%). Membranes coated by the PdPt core catalyst and PdPt@Pt catalyst (resulting in the formation of catalyst-coated membranes) are incorporated into fuel cells and their electrical characteristics are measured. The association of the two deposition techniques results in the formation of quasi core-shell PdPt@Pt nanoclusters, improving the start-up step of the fuel cell.