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Pt monolayer coating on complex network substrate with high catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction
1Key Laboratory for Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, National Ministry of Education, Institute for Advanced Energy Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China.
Science Advances
|November 25, 2015
Summary
Researchers developed a novel method for a complete monolayer platinum (Pt) coating on 3D nickel (Ni) foam. This technique minimizes precious metal usage while maintaining catalytic efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Catalysis
Background:
- Developing efficient and cost-effective catalysts is crucial for various chemical reactions.
- Platinum (Pt) is a highly effective catalyst but its high cost necessitates strategies for minimal usage.
- Fabricating uniform, single-atomic-layer coatings on complex 3D structures presents significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for creating a complete monolayer platinum (Pt) coating on a large-surface-area three-dimensional (3D) nickel (Ni) foam substrate.
- To demonstrate the effectiveness of a buffer layer strategy for achieving uniform Pt deposition.
- To evaluate the catalytic performance of the Pt monolayer coating.
Main Methods:
- A deposition process utilizing a silver (Ag) or gold (Au) buffer layer strategy was employed.
- Techniques including quartz crystal microbalance, current density analysis, cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used for characterization.
- The uniformity and thickness of the Pt coating were precisely controlled and analyzed.
Main Results:
- A complete monolayer Pt coating was successfully fabricated on the 3D Ni foam substrate.
- The deposition process allowed for precise control, achieving a single atomic layer thickness.
- The presence of an Ag or Au buffer layer was essential for achieving complete Pt monolayer coverage on the reactive Ni substrate.
- The Pt monolayer exhibited catalytic activity comparable to thick Pt films.
Conclusions:
- This study reports the first complete monolayer Pt coating on a complex 3D bulk substrate.
- The developed buffer layer strategy is critical for achieving uniform Pt deposition on reactive substrates.
- The Pt monolayer catalyst demonstrates high efficiency, comparable to conventional thick films, with significantly reduced Pt usage.
- This advancement offers a promising route for developing highly active and cost-effective platinum-based catalysts.
