Platinum Electrocatalysts Deposited onto Composite Carbon Black–Metal Oxide Support

Abstract

New nanostructured Pt/(SnO₂/C)-electrocatalyst (20 wt % Pt) is synthesized via platinum chemical deposited onto composite SnO₂/C-support microparticles (4 wt % Sn). The composite support was prepared beforehand using unique method of the tin electrochemical deposition onto disperse carbon black particles. It was shown by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy that the platinum and tin oxide nanoparticles distributed over the carbon surface are sized 2.4 and 2.9 nm, respectively. Electrochemical measurements showed the obtained catalyst to approach the commercial Pt/C HiSPEC 3000 catalyst (20 wt % Pt) with respect to its mass-activity in the oxygen electroreduction reaction and to be superior thereto as for the electrochemically active surface area, stability in stress test, and activity in methanol electrooxidation reaction. The peculiarities in electrochemical behavior of the synthesized Pt/(SnO₂/C)-electrocatalyst can be explained by the SnO₂ nanoparticle effect on the platinum nanoparticle nucleation/growth, as well as presence of Pt–SnO₂–C triple junction nanostructure at the surface. The Pt/SnO₂ contact provides stable platinum-to-support adhesion and asserts bifunctional catalysis mechanism of the methanol electrooxidation. And the Pt/C junctions provide for electron supplying/retraction to or from the platinum nanoparticles.