Pt(Cu)/C Electrocatalysts with Low Platinum Content

Abstract

The structure characteristics and the electrochemical behavior of Pt(Cu)/C electrocatalysts synthesized by consecutive deposition of copper and platinum on carbon-support microparticles is studied. The stability and catalytic activity of Pt(Cu)/C materials in reactions of oxygen electroreduction and methanol electrooxidation are assessed and compared with analogous characteristics of a commercial Pt/C material. It is shown that combining the method of galvanic displacement of Cu by Pt with the additional chemical deposition of Pt favors optimization of the structure and functional characteristics of Pt(Cu)/C electrocatalysts. The effect of thermal treatment on the characteristics and properties of electrocatalysts is studied and the optimal conditions of such pretreatment are revealed.