One‐step Simultaneous Synthesis of Graphene and Pt Nanoparticles under the Action of Pulsed Alternating Current and Electrochemical Performance of Pt/Graphene Catalysts

Abstract

Pt/graphene electrocatalyst for fuel elements has been obtained via the simultaneously electrochemical dispersion of Pt foil and expanded graphite by applying the alternating current. Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have revealed multilayered structure of graphene (3‐5 layers) with linear defects of graphene sheets near 1 μm. The microstructural characteristics and catalytic activity of synthesized Pt/graphene catalyst have been compared with those of Pt/Vulcan catalyst prepared under the same conditions. Pt nanoparticles of Pt/Graphene catalyst exhibit smaller average dimensions and narrower particle size distribution. It follows from the electrochemical study that the electrochemical surface area of Pt/graphene catalyst is 2.5 times higher than for Pt/Vulcan. Besides this, the activity in the electrooxidation of methanol and the stability of Pt/graphene catalyst are found to be superior to the analogous parameters of Pt/Vulcan specimen.

New Electrochemical Approach for the Synthesis of Pd‐PdO/C Electrocatalyst and Application to Formic Acid Electrooxidation

“…Recently, we have reported a simple method for the synthesis of Pt/C catalysts with different types of supports, which is based on the electrochemical dispersion of a Pt foil electrode by pulsed alternating current (EDPAC) . The such developed catalysts exhibit not only good activity in various catalytic and electrocatalytic processes, but also the ability to form platinum upon the application of the alternating pulse current to the Pt foil electrodes . Moreover, the information on the electrochemical methods of synthesis of Pd‐based catalysts, using electrochemical reduction of Pd ions from its salt solutions or decomposition of a Pd electrode in Pd nanoparticles at a high cathodic potential is scarce.…”