Zeolite-templated Pt/C electrocatalysts
- Sandia
In an effort to reduce the amount of platinum required in low temperature fuel cells, we have prepared electrocatalysts of platinum nanoparticles-on-carbon through zeolite-templating methods. Several different zeolite structure-types, as well as clays and mesoporous silicas were investigated as hosts for the preparation of small Pt clusters through thermal decomposition of ion exchanged (NH{sub 3}){sub 4}Pt{sup 2+}. Several factors relating to cluster confinement and mobility influence cluster size, and clusters below 1 nm with narrow size distribution have been prepared. To enable electrochemical application, the pores of the Pt cluster-containing zeolite were filled with electrically conductive carbon via infiltration with carbon precursors, polymerization, and pyrolysis. The zeolite host was then removed by acid digestion, to leave a micro-/mesoporous Pt/C electrocatalyst possessing Pt clusters of controlled size. Preliminary electrochemical evaluation of these catalysts is reported. The energetics of thermal decomposition of (NH{sub 3}){sub 4}Pt{sup 2+} to form Pt clusters in zeolite X have been investigated through Differential Scanning Calorimetry, and apparent activation energies calculated. The relationship between (NH{sub 3}){sub 4}Pt{sup 2+} decomposition and conditions of calcination has been explored in an effort to better control Pt cluster sizes.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 1007584
- Journal Information:
- Micropor. Mesopor. Mat., Vol. 104, Issue (1-3) ; 08, 2007
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- ENGLISH
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