Platinum on Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheets Obtained Under Microwave Irradiation, Using Reducing Agents

Abstract

Hydrophobic catalysts used in catalytic detritiation process of heavy water consist of platinum impregnated on charcoal (commercial material) and PTFE. For this type of material, Pt is found as agglomerates leading to an increase of hydrophilicity in the final catalyst and also, to a low number of functional groups for isotopic exchange. Therefore, in order to avoid these drawbacks, another type of platinum-based material was considered, with a higher platinum dispersion which would lead to an increase number of functional groups for the isotopic exchange process. There are different methods to synthesize Pt on graphene composites, but using microwaves involves advantages like fewer stages and shorter time to produce. The obtaining method uses reduction of H2PtCl6 in the presence of ethylene glycol and other reducing agents (NaBH4 and KOH) and graphene oxide suspension. Samples were then microstructurally investigated using SEM, BET, X-ray diffraction, RAMAN and TGA.