Preparation and characteristic of platinum catalyst deposited on boron-doped carbon nanotubes

In this work, boron doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes (BMWNTs) were introduced as a Pt catalyst support due to their unique physicochemical properties. The effect of BMWNTs on methanol oxidation was investigated with different Pt loading contents. The surface and structural properties of the modified MWNT supports were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The Pt loading contents in the catalysts were confirmed by inductive coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and the morphological structures of the catalysts were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrocatalytic activity of Pt/MWNTs was investigated by cyclic voltammetry measurement. As a result, the boron oxide vapor reacted with MWNTS to form BMWNTs, which led to enhancing the properties, such as graphitization and electrochemical behaviors. Moreover, Pt deposited on BMWNTs exhibited better electrocatalytic activity than on MWNTs for methanol oxidation. Consequently, it was found that partial boron doped MWNTs could influence on the properties of the MWNTs, resulting in enhancing the electrocatalytic activity of the catalysts for DMFCs.     

Adsorption and dissociation of molecular hydrogen on Pt/CeO2 catalyst in the hydrogen spillover process: A quantum chemical molecular dynamics study

Ultra accelerated quantum chemical molecular dynamics method (UA-QCMD) was used to study the dynamics of the hydrogen spillover process on Pt/CeO₂ catalyst surface for the first time. The direct observation of dissociative adsorption of hydrogen on Pt/CeO₂ catalyst surface as well as the diffusion of dissociative hydrogen from the Pt/CeO₂ catalyst surface was simulated. The diffusion of the hydrogen atom in the gas phase explains the high reactivity observed in the hydrogen spillover process. Chemical changes, change of adsorption states and structural changes were investigated. It was observed that parallel adsorption of hydrogen facilitates the dissociative adsorption leading to hydrogen desorption. Impact with perpendicular adsorption of hydrogen causes the molecular adsorption on the surface, which decelerates the hydrogen spillover. The present study also indicates that the CeO₂ support has strong interaction with Pt catalyst, which may cause an increase in Pt activity as well as enhancement of the metal catalyst dispersions and hence increasing the rate of hydrogen spillover reaction.     

Ordered intermediate compound PtBi-modified Pt/C catalyst for 2-propanol electrooxidation in alkaline medium

The PtBi-modified Pt/C catalyst was prepared by liquid chemical reduction method. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize PtBi-modified Pt/C catalyst. The electrochemical behaviors for the 2-propanol electrooxidation reaction in alkaline medium were measured by cyclic voltammetry, line sweep voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS). The results showed that the prepared PtBi is ordered intermediate compound. Compared with the spectrum obtained from Pt/C catalyst, the XPS peak of PtBi-modified Pt/C catalyst is obviously moving toward the low Pt 4f biding energy. The Bi⁰ and Bi₂O₃ coexist on the surface of PtBi/C catalyst. In alkaline medium, the electrochemical activity of 2-propanol electrooxidation of PtBi/C catalyst is higher than that of commercial Pt/C catalyst. EIS result shows that the reaction mechanism of 2-propanol electrooxidation for both catalysts is similar.     

Platinum catalyst on ordered mesoporous carbon with controlled morphology for methanol electrochemical oxidation

Ordered mesoporous carbons CMK-3 with various morphologies are synthesized by using various mesoporous silica SBA-15 as template and then support to prepare Pt/CMK-3 catalyst. The obtained catalysts are compared in terms of the electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation in sulfuric acidic solutions. The structure characterizations and electrochemical analysis reveal that Pt catalysts with the CMK-3 support of large particle size and long channel lengths possess larger electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) and higher activity toward methanol oxidation than those with the other two supports. The better performance of Pt/CMK-3 catalyst may be due to the larger area of electrode/electrolyte interface and larger ECSA value of Pt catalyst, which will provide better structure in favor of the mass transport and the electron transport.     

A comparative study for the electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohol on Pt-Au nanoparticle-supported copolymer-grafted graphene oxide composite for fuel cell application

The platinum-gold bimetallic nanoparticles supported poly(cyclotriphosphazene-co-benzidine)-grafted graphene oxide (poly(CP-co-BZ)-g-GO) composite has been prepared for electrochemical performance studies. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometric studies were carried out to check the electrochemical properties of Pt-Au/poly(CP-co-BZ)-g-GO and Pt/poly(CP-co-BZ)-g-GO catalysts for methanol, ethylene glycol and glycerol in alkaline medium. The morphology and crystalline structure of the prepared Pt-Au/poly(CP-co-BZ)-g-GO and Pt/poly(CP-co-BZ)-g-GO and catalysts have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). From the electrochemical results, it was concluded that Pt-Au/poly(CP-co-BZ)-g-GO catalyst shows higher catalytic activity and stability compared to Pt/poly(CP-co-BZ)-g-GO catalyst. The catalytic activity of Pt/poly(CP-co-BZ)-g-GO catalyst has been compared with Pt/poly(CP-co-BZ), Pt/GO and Pt/C catalysts. In addition, oxidation current of ethylene glycol is higher than the methanol and glycerol in alkaline medium on the prepared catalyst.     

Characterization and sensing property studies of the Pt | Nafion electrode prepared by the chemical reduction method

A novel electrochemical hydrogen sensor which consists of a solid electrolyte polymer (SEP) and catalytic active electrode operating at room temperature was fabricated and investigated. Nafion is utilized as polymer proton conducting membrane onto which a catalytic electrode was deposited by anin-situ impregnation reduction (I-R) technique. In this work, Pt was selected as active catalyst for hydrogen oxidation and the deposition conditions were modified to optimise the parameters for application in hydrogen sensors and to improve the metal utilization so that the electrode loading could be reduced without loss of electrochemical performance. The hydrogen sensing characteristics with air as reference gas are reported. A maximum sensitivity of about 0.01 μA cm⁻² ppm⁻¹ was obtained. The response time was observed to be in the range of 10–50 seconds. The experimental results show that long term sensor stability exists at room temperature. The thin Pt films were characterized by XRD, infrared spectroscopy, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and EDAX. Paper presented at the Patras Conference on Solid State Ionics — Transport Properties, Patras, Greece, Sept. 14–18, 2004.     

Decorating graphene sheets with Pt nanoparticles using sodium citrate as reductant

In this paper, we proposed a novel and green approach for the synthesis of graphene nanosheets (GNS) and Pt nanoparticles-graphene nanosheets (Pt/GNS) hybrid materials, employing graphene oxide (GO) as precursor and sodium citrate as environmentally friendly reducing and stabilizing agent. The microstructures of GO and Pt/GNS were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical measurements. The results confirmed that the uniform size distribution of Pt nanoparticles on the surface of GNS without agglomerates could be easily obtained via using sodium citrate as reductant, moreover the Pt/GNS hybrids exhibited high electrochemical activity.     

Electrochemical promotion of environmentally important catalytic reactions

The performance of conventional heterogeneous metal catalysts may be enhanced by the addition of so-called promoter species that are used to modify the intrinsic metal surface chemistry with respect to activity and/or selectivity. Electrochemical methods provide an alternative, radically different and uniquely efficacious method of catalyst promotion. Substantial and reversible changes in catalyst perfomance can be induced by back-spillover ions pumped from a solid electrolyte to the surface of a catalytically active electrode: one hasin situ control of the working catalyst. Studies of the electrochemical promotion of NO reduction over Pt films supported on β″-alumina (a sodium ion conductor) demonstrate that major enhancements in activity are possible when Na is pumped to the catalyst surface. We have examined the NO+CO reaction and the reaction of NO with propene. Both reactions are relevant to control of automotive and other emissions, and both exhibit strong electrochemical promotion. By simulating lean-burn engine conditions, we have also demonstrated that EP of a Pt catalyst very substantially enhances the ability of NO to oxidise propene in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. Reaction kinetic data obtained as a function of catalyst potential, temperature and gas composition indicate that Na increases the strength of NO chemisorption relative to CO or propene, a process that is accompanied by weakening of the N-O bond, thus facilitating NO dissociation, which is the critical reaction-initiating step. XP spectroscopy under the appropriate conditions of temperature and catalyst potential confirms that the mode of operation of the elctrochemically promoted Pt film does indeed involve reversible pumping of Na to or from the solid electrolyte. Paper presented at the 2nd Euroconference on Solid State Ionics, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, Sept. 10–16, 1995     

Thermal desorption study of Oxygen adsorption on Pt, Ag & Au films deposited on YSZ

The Thermal Desorption or Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD) technique has been used for the study of oxygen adsorption on Pt, Ag and Au catalyst films deposited on YSZ. The catalyst film was deposited on the one side of the YSZ specimen while on the other side gold counter and reference electrodes were deposited, constructing a three-electrode electrochemical cell similar to those used in Electrochemical Promotion studies. Oxygen adsorption has been carried out either by exposing the samples to gaseous oxygen (gas phase adsorption) or by the application of a constant current between the catalyst/working electrode and the counter electrode (electrochemical adsorption) or by mixed gas phase and electrochemical adsorption. Oxygen adsorption was carried out at temperatures between 200 and 480 °C. After exposure to gaseous oxygen, normal adsorbed atomic oxygen species have been observed on Pt and Ag surfaces while there was no detectable amount of adsorbed oxygen on Au. Electrochemical O²⁻ pumping to Pt, Ag and Au catalyst films creates strongly bonded “backspillover” anionic oxygen, along with the more weakly bonded atomic oxygen. Electrochemical O²⁻ pumping to Pt, Ag and Au catalyst films in presence of preadsorbed oxygen creates strongly bonded “backspillover” anionic oxygen, with a concomitant pronounced lowering of the T_p of the more weakly bound preadsorbed atomic oxygen. The two oxygen species co-exist on the surface. The activation energy for oxygen desorption or, equivalently, the binding strength of adsorbed oxygen was found to decrease linearly with increasing catalyst potential, for all three metal electrodes. Paper presented at the 4th Euroconference on Solid State Ionics, Renvyle, Galway, Ireland Sept. 13–19, 1997     

Etching nano-holes in silicon carbide using catalytic platinum nano-particles

The catalytic reaction of platinum during a hydrogen etching process has been used to perform controlled vertical nanopatterning of silicon carbide substrates. A first set of experiments was performed with platinum powder randomly distributed on the SiC surface. Subsequent hydrogen etching in a hot wall reactor caused local atomic hydrogen production at the catalyst resulting in local SiC etching and hole formation. Secondly, a highly regular and monosized distribution of Pt was obtained by sputter deposition of Pt through an Au membrane serving as a contact mask. After the lift-off of the mask, the hydrogen etching revealed the onset of well-controlled vertical patterned holes on the SiC surface. PACS 61.46.+w; 68.37.-d; 81.65.Cf     

Electrochemical codeposition of Pt/graphene catalyst for improved methanol oxidation

Pt/graphene electrocatalyst was uniformly deposited on a glassy carbon substrate using a pulsed galvanostatic electrodeposition method, which facilitated the simultaneous electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide and formation of Pt nanoparticles. Compared to the commercial carbon-supported Pt electrocatalyst, the electrochemically reduced Pt/graphene (Pt/ERG) catalyst exhibited improved electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation due to the synergistic effects of an increase in the number of catalytic reaction sites and an enhancement of the charge transfer rate.     

Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon with Mesopore Confinement Efficiently Enhances the Tolerance,Sensitivity, and Stability of a Pt Catalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) present some of the most challenging vulnerability issues reducing ORR performance and shortening their practical lifetime. Fuel crossover resistance, selective activity, and catalytic stability of ORR catalysts are still to be addressed. Here, a facile and in situ template‐free synthesis of Pt‐containing mesoporous nitrogen‐doped carbon composites (Pt‐m‐N‐C) is designed and specifically developed to overcome its drawback as an electrocatalyst for ORR, while its high activity is sustained. The as‐prepared Pt‐m‐N‐C catalyst exhibits high electrocatalytic activity, dominant four‐electron oxygen reduction pathway, superior stability, fuel crossover resistance, and selective activity to a commercial Pt/C catalyst in 0.1 m KOH aqueous solution. Such excellent performance benefits from in situ covalent incorporation of Pt nanoparticles with optimal size into N‐doped carbon support, dense active catalytic sites on surface, excellent electrical contacts between the catalytic sites and the electron‐conducting host, and a favorable mesoporous structure for the stabilization of the Pt nanoparticles by pore confinement and diffusion of oxygen molecules.     

Comparison of different types of polypyrimidine/CNTs/Pt hybrids in fuel cell catalysis

In this paper, we mainly studied the preparation of platinum-containing composite materials with carbon nanotubes wrapped by polypyrimidine-conjugated polymers and the performance of the composites. The polymer-based carbon nanotubes/Pt catalysts were prepared successfully and confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, XPS, XRD, and TEM images. The performance of polypyrimidine/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/Pt and polypyrimidine/double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs)/Pt was compared with the polypyrimidine/single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)/Pt. The amount of the loaded Pt on the polypyrimidine/MWCNTs and polypyrimidine/DWCNTs was calculated to be 50.5 wt% and 52.7 wt% respectively. The effective specific surface area of the polypyrimidine/MWCNTs/Pt (45.7 m²/g) and polypyrimidine/DWCNTs/Pt (42.47 m²/g) was observed by electrochemical cyclic voltammetry. These studies strongly imply that the MWCNTs were better candidates than DWCNTs and SWCNTs in the application of polypyrimidine/CNT materials as catalyst for fuel cells.     

Structure and composition of adsorbed layers formed by sequential exposure of Pt(100) and Pt(111) to pairs of compounds: Solvents and electrolytic substances

Studies are reported of the interaction of vapor of typical polar solvents and electrolytes at electrodes having Pt(111) or Pt(100) single-crystal surfaces: water, pyridine, acetonitrile, dimethyl-sulfoxide, hydrogen bromide, iodine, sulfur dioxide, acrylic acid, and ammonia. Exposure was extended from low pressures (about 10^?5 Torr) to pressures approaching the vapor pressure of the pure liquid. The results indicate that these typical electrochemical materials adsorb strongly to the clean Pt surface but once adsorbed tend not to react with each other. However, analysis of LEED patterns and Auger intensities suggests that exposure of an adsorbed layer of solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide to iodine results in adsorption of the halogen and molecular re-orientation of the adsorbed solvent.     

Investigation of a traditional catalyst by contemporary methods: Parallel electron spectroscopic and catalytic studies on Pt black

Results of electron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS) of platinum black catalyst measured in various states of the catalyst have been summarized. XPS showed up to almost 50% carbon and up to 20% oxygen on a sample stored in air. These, however, had almost no influence on the chemical state of Pt, except for the appearance of minor surface oxide. A Pt purity of ～90% could be reached by regeneration with O₂ and H₂. The C 1s peak contained several components from individual C atoms to graphitic and polymeric hydrocarbon layers. Thus, the active catalyst was not clean Pt but metallic Pt; the impurities exerting little influence on catalytic activity. Regeneration and deactivation led also to slight structural rearrangement, as detected by XRD. Intentional deactivation with hydrocarbon–hydrogen mixtures was monitored by XPS, UPS and catalytic tests. Correlation was found between catalytic activity and selectivity in hexane reaction and the amount – and also the chemical state – of carbon accumulated during deactivating runs. A short summary of electron spectroscopy of supported Pt catalysts is also given. The main underlying idea regards solid catalyst and reactants as a dynamic system, including also solid-state changes of the former.     

Effect of ultrasound in enantioselective hydrogenation of 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione: comparison of catalyst activation, solvents and supports

The enantioselective hydrogenation of 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione was carried out over Pt/Al2O3, Pt/SiO2, Pt/SF (silica fiber), Pt/C catalysts modified with cinchonidine under ultrasonic irradiation. The initial rate, regioselectivity and enantioselectivity were investigated for different catalyst pretreatments, solvents and ultrasonic powers. The ultrasound effects were very catalyst dependent. The sonication significantly enhanced enantioselectivity and activity of the Pt/SF (silica fiber) catalyst. For the other Pt supported catalysts the reaction rate, enantioselectivity and regioselectivity increased moderately. The choice of solvent influenced the impact of ultrasound effect, namely in mesitylene, which has the lowest vapor pressure, the highest ultrasound enhancement was observed. The effect of sonication on catalysts surface was studied by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). No significant change in the metal particle size distribution due to sonication was observed. However, in the case of the Pt/SF catalyst, acoustic irradiation induced morphological changes on the catalyst particle surface (SEM), which might be the cause for enhancement of the initial reaction rate and enantioselectivity.     

硼掺入量对含硼金刚石单晶热稳定性的影响

 在铁基触媒原材料中添加不同含量的六方氮化硼,采用粉末冶金方法制备片状触媒,在六面顶压机上合成出含硼金刚石单晶。用体视显微镜对金刚石单晶的结构、形貌进行观察,并用电子探针（EPMA）和波谱仪（WDS）分析了金刚石（111）晶面的硼含量,发现金刚石表面有硼元素存在,且其含量随着触媒中掺硼量的增加而变化。在测定了含硼金刚石单晶的静压强度的基础上,采用冲击韧性测定仪和差热分析仪对不同掺硼量触媒合成出的金刚石单晶在空气中的热稳定性进行了系统的对比研究。结果表明,触媒掺硼量对金刚石的机械强度和热稳定性有重要影响,随着掺硼量的变化,其机械强度和热稳定性均存在一个最佳值。     

Effects of Current on Microcosmic Properties of Catalyst and Reforming of Bio-oil

通过低温电催化重整方法(电流通过催化剂床),用传统的镍基重整催化剂NiO-Al2O3重整生物油制取氢气是一种高效的生物油产氢方法．还探索了电流对生物油重整的促进影响,发现通过催化剂的电流明显地提高了生物油的重整．通过BET、XRD、XPS和SEM的测试,研究了电流对催化剂微观结构的影响,包括比表面、孔径、孔体积、晶粒尺寸和氧化镍的还原程度．从通电的催化剂表面脱附的热电子直接由飞行时间质谱测量．讨论了电催化重整生物油的机理．     

Successive electrodeposition of polydopamine and PtPd metal on a graphene oxide support for use as anode fuel cell catalysts

Successive electropolymerization of dopamine and electrodeposition of Pd and/or Pt on a graphene oxide (GO) support were used to prepare anode catalysts for low-temperature fuel cells. Transmission electron microscopy images were used to investigate the morphologies and distribution of the prepared catalysts, which showed the metal formed as nanoparticles on the catalysts. The GO surface was favorable for the modification with electropolymerized polydopamine (PDA) and the electrodeposition of metal catalyst nanoparticles using a simple preparation process. The PDA-loaded GO composite was used as a matrix for the dispersion of Pt and Pd nanoparticles. GO could be simultaneously modified by PDA and reduced without using reducing agents. The electrocatalytic performance of the catalysts for the oxidation of selected small molecule fuels (e.g., methanol, ethanol and formic acid) was examined. An outstanding catalytic activity and stability was found for the prepared Pt/Pd/PDA/GO composite, which was attributed to the high active surface area.     

钴原子插层增强磷烯纳米片析氢反应活性

本文基于第一性原理计算,证明了钴插层磷烯的析氢催化活性可以显著增强.钴插层磷烯具有金属特性,电荷从钴原子向磷烯转移,增强了磷烯的催化活性.钴插层磷烯表面的氢吸附吉布斯自由能与铂(111)表面相当,与氢覆盖度无关.研究结果表明钴原子插层提供了一种有效的方法来增强磷烯的析氢反应催化活性.