Synthesis of Carbon Supported Pt Nanoparticles for Low Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

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Researchers have developed a novel method for synthesizing crystalline Pt nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution, which demonstrates improved electrochemical performance in fuel cell applications. The study, published in the Science of Advanced Materials, employed a microwave-assisted method to fabricate Pt nanoparticles on a carbon support, resulting in a catalyst with 9.8 wt% Pt loading. The synthesized catalyst showed better electrochemical performance and higher current and power density compared to a commercial catalyst.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers developed a microwave-assisted method to synthesize crystalline Pt nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution (1.1-3.2 nm) on a carbon support.
  • The use of a chelating agent in the synthesis process significantly decreased the Pt nanoparticle size and improved the dispersion of Pt nanoparticles on the carbon support.
  • The electrochemical performance of the prepared catalyst (Pt/C-1) with 9.8 wt% Pt loading was better than that of a commercial catalyst.
  • The Pt/C-1 catalyst showed high current and power density in fuel cell measurements.
  • The research concluded that the synthesized catalyst can be an alternative for fuel cell applications.
  • The study highlights the effectiveness of a chelating agent in reducing Pt nanoparticle size and improving dispersion on the carbon support.
  • The researchers employed X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy to characterize the prepared Pt/C catalysts.
  • The study demonstrated the potential of the synthesized catalyst for low-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

Statistics:

  • Pt nanoparticle size distribution: 1.1-3.2 nm
  • wt% Pt loading: 9.8 wt%
  • Electrochemical performance improvement: Compared to a commercial catalyst
  • Current density: High
  • Power density: High
  • Catalyst preparation method: Microwave-assisted

Sources:

Science of Advanced Materials, 2015;7(4):815-820

Amer Scientific Publishers, 26650 The Old Rd, Ste 208, Valencia, CA 91381-0751, USA

C.H. Huang, Natl Univ Tainan, Dept. of Greenergy, Tainan 70005, Taiwan

L.C. Chen, J. Wu, C.K. Huang, S.J. Liu, W.S. Hwang, and J.J. Hwang

Journal URL: www.aspbs.com

Newsletter URL: www.newsrx.com