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09:02
Synthesis of Platinum-nickel Nanowires and Optimization for Oxygen Reduction Performance
Published on: April 27, 2018
Core/shell Pd/FePt nanoparticles as an active and durable catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction
Vismadeb Mazumder1, Miaofang Chi, Karren L More
1Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|May 26, 2010
Summary
We synthesized core/shell palladium/iron platinum nanoparticles for oxygen reduction reactions. A thin 1 nm iron platinum shell significantly boosts catalyst durability and activity for fuel cells.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Developing efficient catalysts is crucial for advancing fuel cell technology.
- Palladium (Pd) and platinum (Pt) based nanomaterials are key components in fuel cell catalysis.
- Understanding core/shell nanoparticle structures can optimize catalytic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize core/shell palladium/iron platinum (Pd/FePt) nanoparticles.
- To investigate the catalytic activity and durability of these nanoparticles for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
- To determine the effect of the FePt shell thickness on catalytic properties.
Main Methods:
- Controlled nucleation of iron pentacarbonyl [Fe(CO)5] onto palladium nanoparticles in the presence of a platinum salt.
- Synthesis conducted at specific reaction temperatures to achieve uniform FePt shell formation.
- Electrochemical testing to evaluate oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and durability.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized core/shell Pd/FePt nanoparticles with a uniform FePt shell.
- Catalytic properties were dependent on the FePt shell thickness.
- Pd/FePt NPs with a 1 nm FePt shell showed a 15-fold increase in activity and a 140 mV gain in onset potential compared to those with a 3 nm shell.
- Enhanced durability was observed with the optimized FePt shell.
Conclusions:
- Core/shell Pd/FePt nanoparticles offer a promising pathway for improved fuel cell catalysts.
- Optimizing the FePt shell thickness is critical for maximizing catalytic efficiency and longevity.
- These novel nanoparticles hold potential for practical fuel cell applications.
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