Modification of polyol process for synthesis of highly platinum loaded platinum–carbon catalysts for fuel cells

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 183; no. 2; pp. 600 - 603
• Main Authors: Oh, Hyung-Suk, Oh, Jong-Gil, Kim, Hansung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.09.2008; Elsevier Sequoia
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Carbon support; Catalysis; Catalysts; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel Cell; Fuel cells; Platinum; Platinum/carbon catalyst; Polyol process; Polyols; Surface charge; Synthesis; Yield; Zeta potential; Polyol process; Yield; Platinum/carbon catalyst; Zeta potential; Carbon support; Fuel Cell; Modification; Costs; Particle size; Platinum; Polyol process;Zeta potential;Yield;Fuel Cell;Platinum/carbon catalyst;Carbon support; Preparation; Polyol; Supported catalyst; Fuel cell
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2008.05.070

A modified polyol process is developed to enhance the Pt loading during the preparation of carbon-supported platinum (Pt/C) catalysts. With the help of the zeta potential, the effect of pH on the electrostatic forces between the support and the Pt colloid is investigated. It is shown experimentally that the surface charge on the carbon support becomes more electropositive when the solution pH is changed from alkaline to acidic. This change does not, however, affect the electronegative surface charge of Pt colloids already attained and stabilized by glycolate anions. This new behaviour caused by the change in solution pH accounts for the enhanced yield of the process and does not affect the Pt particle size. All the experimental results reveal that this simple modification is a cost-effective method for the synthesis of highly Pt-loaded Pt/C catalysts for fuel cells.