Transport effects in the oxygen reduction reaction on nanostructured, planar glassy carbon supported Pt/GC model electrodes

The role of transport and re-adsorption processes on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and in particular on its selectivity was studied using nanostructured model electrodes consisting of arrays of Pt nanostructures of well-defined size and separation on a planar glassy carbon (GC) substrate. The electrochemical measurements were performed under controlled transport conditions in a double-disk electrode thin-layer flow-cell configuration; the model electrodes were fabricated by colloidal lithography techniques, yielding Pt nanostructures of well defined and controlled size and density (diameter: 140 or 85 nm, height: 20 or 10 nm, separation: from 1-2 to more than 10 diameters). The nanostructured model electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical probing of the active surface area (via the hydrogen adsorption charge). The electrocatalytic measurements revealed a pronounced variation of the hydrogen peroxide yield, which increases by up to two orders of magnitude with increasing separation and decreasing size of the Pt nanostructures. Similar, though less pronounced effects were observed upon varying the electrolyte flow and thus the mass transport characteristics. These effects are discussed in a reaction model which includes (i) direct reduction to H(2)O on the Pt surface and (ii) additional H(2)O(2) formation and desorption on both Pt and carbon surfaces and subsequent partial re-adsorption and further reduction of the H(2)O(2) molecules on the Pt surface.     

Three-dimensional nanostructured carbon nanotube array/PtRu nanoparticle electrodes for micro-fuel cells

We have fabricated three-dimensional (3D) nanostructured carbon nanotube (CNT) array/PtRu nanoparticle (with the average molar percentage (26%) of Ru) electrodes using anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates for micro-fuel cells. 3D nanostructured CNT array was used to support PtRu nanoparticles to enhance the utilization efficiency of Pt. The 3D nanostructured CNT array/PtRu electrodes show the excellent catalytic activity and electrochemical stability of electro-oxidation of methanol. Their anodic current density is 10 times as high as that of PtRu thin-films, which could be explained in terms of the high specific surface area of 3D nanostructured CNT array supporting films and the uniform distribution of PtRu nanoparticles.     

Electrochemical fabrication of metallic nanostructured electrodes for electroanalytical applications

The use of electrodeposited metal-based nanostructures for electroanalytical applications has recently received widespread attention. There are several approaches to creating nanostructured materials through electrochemical routes that include facile electrodeposition at either untreated or modified electrodes, or through the use of physical or chemical templating methods. This allows the shape, size and composition of the nanomaterial to be readily tuned for the application of interest. The use of such materials is particularly suited to electroanalytical applications. In this mini-review an overview of recently developed nanostructured materials developed through electrochemical routes is presented as well as their electroanalytical applications in areas of biological and environmental importance.     

Pt fibers with stacked donut-like mesospace by assembling pt nanoparticles: guided deposition in physically confined self-assembly of surfactants

A stacked donut-like mesospace is successfully introduced into Pt fibers by assembling Pt nanoparticles with uniform particle size, by utilizing the guided deposition of Pt nanoparticles in preferentially oriented liquid crystals. We clearly demonstrate that the collaboration of both LLC templating by electrochemical processes and hard templating utilizing a confined effect can lead to the genesis of new nanostructured metals. Such a unique metal-based nanoarchitecture enhances the surface area and enables the high-mass transportation of guest species. Preferentially oriented mesochannels should contribute significantly to the fine control and transport of electronic carriers through metal fibers.     

Nanostructured Pt supported on cocoon-derived carbon as an efficient electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation

Development of suitable supports has been proven as an important preparation process for high active catalysts of fuel cell. In this work, a carbon material was prepared by pyrolyzing cocoons with ferric chloride as activator, and then Pt nanoparticles (ca. 50 wt.%) were deposited on its surface. The characteristics of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy showed that the face-centered cubic structured Pt nanoparticles with nano-sized crystals interconnected each other via grain boundaries were formed on the surface of pyrolyzed cocoons. Afterwards, electrochemical results demonstrate that the nanostructured Pt supported on this support exhibits higher catalytic activity and CO tolerance than Pt nanoparticles supported on Vulcan carbon for methanol oxidation reaction.     

Pt/MnO2纳米结构催化剂的制备与结构表征

采用一种简单的方法合成了Pt/MnO2纳米结构催化剂.通过改变还原时间、反应温度、聚乙烯吡咯烷酮（PVP）的用量、Pt负载量等,研究了反应条件对Pt/MnO2纳米结构催化剂的Pt纳米粒子的粒径大小、粒径分布和分散性影响.并在最佳条件下合成一系列不同载体和Pt负载量的Pt/MnO2纳米结构催化剂.通过X射线衍射（XRD）...     

Au@Pt纳米粒子催化O2还原反应的电化学研究

以100 nm的Au粒子为核,抗坏血酸为还原剂,H2PtCl6·6H2O为前驱体,合成了Pt包Au核壳结构纳米粒子( Au@ Pt)及其修饰的玻碳(GC)电极(Au@ Pt/GC).采用旋转圆盘电极等常规电化学方法,比较了Au@ Pt/GC和商用碳载铂(Pt/C)修饰的玻碳电极(Pt/C/GC)催化O2还原反应活性及耐甲醇性能,发现Au@ Pt纳米粒子在铂用量很低的情况下,其催化O2还原反应活性仍与商用Pt/C相当,而且还具有优良的耐甲醇性能;其催化O2还原反应机理按O2直接还原成H2O的四电子历程进行.     

Electrochemical-reduced graphene oxide-modified carbon fiber as Pt–Au nanoparticle support and its high efficient electrocatalytic activity for formic acid oxidation

A simple electrochemical approach is developed to prepare reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-wrapped carbon fiber (CF) as a novel support for Pt–Au nanocatalysts. The obtained composite electrodes have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and electrochemical methods. SEM images reveal that the Pt–Au nanoparticles deposited on RGO-wrapped CF (RGO/CF) electrode display smaller particle size and more uniform dispersion than those on the bare CF electrode. Cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry, Tafel plots, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses demonstrate that the introduced RGO on CF electrode surface is beneficial to the dispersion of Pt–Au nanoparticles, as a consequence, to the enhancement of the electrocatalytic activity and the antipoisoning ability of Pt–Au towards formic acid electrooxidation.     

3-D composite electrodes for high performance PEM fuel cells composed of Pt supported on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes grown on carbon paper

The 3-D composite electrodes consisting of Pt nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (CN_x) grown directly on carbon paper were successfully prepared. The effect of the nitrogen atom incorporation in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the Pt nanoparticle dispersion and catalytic activities for the oxygen reduction reaction has been investigated. Compared to regular CNTs, highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles with smaller size (2–3 nm) and higher electrochemical Pt surface area as well as higher fuel cell performance were obtained for CN_x.     

Shape-dependent electrocatalysis: methanol and formic acid electrooxidation on preferentially oriented Pt nanoparticles

Reactivity towards methanol and formic acid electrooxidation on Pt nanoparticles with well characterised surfaces were studied and compared with the behaviour of single crystal electrodes with basal orientations. Polyoriented and preferential (100), (111) and (100)-(111) Pt nanoparticles were synthesised, cleaned preserving its surface structure, characterised and employed to evaluate the influence of the surface structure/shape of the Pt nanoparticles on these two relevant electrochemical reactions. The results pointed out that, in agreement with fundamental studies with Pt single crystal electrodes, the surface structure of the electrodes plays an important role on the reactivity of both oxidation processes, and thus the electrocatalytic properties strongly depend on the surface structure/shape of the nanoparticles, in particular on the presence of sites with (111) symmetry. These findings open the possibility of designing new and better electrocatalytic materials using decorated shape-controlled Pt nanoparticles as previously described with Pt single crystal electrodes.     

Single‐Step Reagentless Laser Scribing Fabrication of Electrochemical Paper‐Based Analytical Devices

A single‐step laser scribing process is used to pattern nanostructured electrodes on paper‐based devices. The facile and low‐cost technique eliminates the need for chemical reagents or controlled conditions. This process involves the use of a CO₂ laser to pyrolyze the surface of the paperboard, producing a conductive porous non‐graphitizing carbon material composed of graphene sheets and composites with aluminosilicate nanoparticles. The new electrode material was extensively characterized, and it exhibits high conductivity and an enhanced active/geometric area ratio; it is thus well‐suited for electrochemical purposes. As a proof‐of‐concept, the devices were successfully employed for different analytical applications in the clinical, pharmaceutical, food, and forensic fields. The scalable and green fabrication method associated with the features of the new material is highly promising for the development of portable electrochemical devices.     

Nanostructured metal particlemodified electrodes for electrocatalytic and sensor applications

Nanotechnology has become one of the most exciting frontier fields in analytical chemistry. The huge interest in nanomaterials, for example in chemical sensors and catalysis, is driven by their many desirable properties. Although metal is a poor catalyst in bulk form, nanometre-sized particles can exhibit excellent catalytic activity due to their relative high surface area-to-volume ratio and their interface-dominated properties, which significantly differ from those of the bulk material. The integration of metal nanoparticles into thin film of permselective membrane is particularly important for various applications, for example in biological sensing and in electrocatalysis. We have already established different techniques to design permselective membrane-coated chemically modified electrodes with incorporated redox molecules for electrocatalytic, electrochromic and sensor applications. Recently, we have prepared nanostructured platinum and copper (represented M_nano, M = Pt and Cu) modified GC/Nafion electrodes (GC/Nf/M_nano) and characterized by using AFM, XPS, XRD and electrochemical techniques. The nanostructured M_nano modified electrodes were utilized for efficient electrocatalytic selective oxidation of neurotransmitter molecules in the presence of interfering species such as ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA). It has been also shown that the modified electrodes could be used as sensors for the detection of submicromolar concentrations of biomolecules with practical applications to real samples such as blood plasma and dopamine hydrochloride injection solution. The GC/Cu_nano electrode has been used for catalytic reduction of oxygen.     

A new simple preparation of platinum-nickel alloy nanoparticles and their characterization as an electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation

Pt-Ni alloy nanoparticles were produced by casting 2 or 10 mM H₂PtCl₆ solutions on a Ni column. The apparent particle size for the resultant Pt-Ni alloys increased with the concentration of the H₂PtCl₆ solution, while the content of Pt in the alloy decreased. The potential sweeps of 5 cycles in an H₂SO₄ aqueous solution for Pt-Ni (2 mM)/Ni and Pt-Ni (10 mM)/Ni electrodes led to electrochemical behavior similar to a polycrystalline Pt electrode, suggesting the formation of a few thin Pt layers on each Pt-Ni alloy surface. In electrochemical measurements, both Pt-Ni/Ni electrodes showed more negative onset potential of methanol oxidation and slower degradation of oxidation current of methanol than the polycrystalline Pt electrode. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of both Pt-Ni/Ni electrodes showed the shift of Pt4f peaks to a higher binding energy, suggesting that the increase in the d vacancy in the balance band 5d orbital of Pt contributed to the improved electrocatalytic activity and durability of the Pt-Ni/Ni electrodes.     

Amperometric Determination of Glucose at Conventional vs. Nanostructured Gold Electrodes in Neutral Solutions

The conventional gold electrodes were compared with recently published electrodes based on gold nanoparticles and gold nanostructured films as amperometric sensors for glucose in pH 7.40 phosphate buffer solutions. The conventional electrodes provided similar electroanalytical benefits while required much simpler and shorter preparation. It is recommended that the future reports on the development of electrochemical sensors based on metal nanoparticles/nanostructures include also the analytical figures of merit obtained at relevant conventional metal electrodes. The voltammetric studies indicated that, in contrast to phosphate buffers, the Tris buffers were not suitable for activation of gold surface toward the direct oxidation of glucose.     

Ordered Mesoporous Silica Incorporating Platinum Nanoparticles as Electrode Material for Paracetamol Detection

High ordered mesoporous materials (SBA-15) modified with Al and/or B and Pt nanoparticles (Pt NPs) were used for preparing modified graphite paste electrodes (Pt/M−SBA-15-GPE, where M=Al−, B− or Al−B−) and applied for paracetamol (PA) detection. The electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Square wave voltammetry (SWV) technique was used to obtain the analytical parameters for PA detection. The acquired values of electrochemical and analytical parameters recommend the mesoporous compound containing Pt NPs to be used as composite electrode material for PA detection in real samples.     

多孔纳米结构Fe/Pt-Fe电极对碱性介质中甲醇电氧化的催化活性（英文）

An electrochemical approach to fabricate a nanostructured Fe/Pt-Fe catalyst through electrodeposition followed by galvanic replacement is presented. An Fe/Pt-Fe nanostructured electrode was prepared by deposition of Fe-Zn onto a Fe electrode surface, followed by replacement of the Zn by Pt at open-circuit potential in a Pt-containing alkaline solution. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray techniques reveal that the Fe/Pt-Fe electrode is porous and contains Pt. The electrocatalytic activity of the Fe/Pt-Fe electrode for oxidation of methanol was examined by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The electrooxidation current on the Fe/Pt-Fe catalyst is much higher than that on flat Pt and smooth Fe catalysts. The onset potential and peak potential on the Fe/Pt-Fe catalyst are more negative than those on flat Pt and smooth Fe electrodes for methanol electrooxidation. All results show that this nanostructured Fe/Pt-Fe electrode is very attractive for integrated fuel cell applications in alkaline media.     

Electrocatalytic activity of porous nanostructured Fe/Pt-Fe electrode for methanol electrooxidation in alkaline media

An electrochemical approach to fabricate a nanostructured Fe/Pt-Fe catalyst through electrodepo-sition followed by galvanic replacement is presented. An Fe/Pt-Fe nanostructured electrode was prepared by deposition of Fe-Zn onto a Fe electrode surface, followed by replacement of the Zn by Pt at open-circuit potential in a Pt-containing alkaline solution. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray techniques reveal that the Fe/Pt-Fe electrode is porous and contains Pt. The electrocatalytic activity of the Fe/Pt-Fe electrode for oxidation of methanol was examined by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The electrooxidation current on the Fe/Pt-Fe catalyst is much higher than that on flat Pt and smooth Fe catalysts. The onset potential and peak potential on the Fe/Pt-Fe catalyst are more negative than those on flat Pt and smooth Fe electrodes for methanol electrooxidation. All results show that this nanostructured Fe/Pt-Fe electrode is very attractive for integrated fuel cell applications in alkaline media.     

Mechanistic Insights into Cyclic Voltammograms on Pt(111): Kinetics Simulations

A detailed understanding of the electrochemistry of platinum electrodes is of great importance for the electrochemical oxidation of fuels and electrochemical reduction of dioxygen in fuel cells. The Pt(111) facet is the most representative model mimicking Pt nanoparticles and polycrystals for fundamental studies. Herein, we propose a site-specific model accompanied with the typical elementary steps of the electrochemistry of Pt(111) in non-adsorbing electrolyte within the potential range between 0.05 and 1.15 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. Simulations were conducted at different scanning rates based on the kinetics models. We reproduce all the anodic and cathodic peaks observed in the reported experimental curves. These results demonstrate the underlying mechanisms of the peak formation in different potential regions.     

Oxygen reduction at platinum monolayer islands deposited on Au(111)

Atomic monolayer islands of Pt, namely, two-dimensional Pt nanoparticles, on a Au(111) electrode have been studied for the first time, focusing on their electrocatalytic activities for oxygen reduction in acid solutions. The Pt islands' electrodes were prepared using the self-assembled technique of thiols together with the replacement of Pt with a Cu monolayer. The states of adsorbed OH and the catalytic activities of oxygen reduction were sensitive to the Pt island size. As island size decreased, a delay in the reduction of surface oxide was observed. However, negligible influence of adsorbed OH on activity for oxygen reduction was observed. Pt islands of sizes ranging from 5 to 10 nm showed higher specific catalytic activities for oxygen reduction. Specific catalytic activities decreased by a factor of 10 with a decrease in island sizes from 5.5 to 3.1 nm. Size effects observed in Pt monolayer islands were discussed in comparison with three-dimensional nanoparticles, to obtain information concerning the size effects of metal nanoparticles.     

Pt-Ru合金薄膜的电沉积制备及其电化学表面增强红外吸收光谱

在1mmol·L-1H2PtCl6+1mmol·L-1RuCl3+0.1mol·L-1H2SO4镀液中采用电沉积法在化学镀金膜的红外窗口Si反射面上制备Pt50Ru50合金电极.利用原子力显微镜(AFM)可以观察到制备的Pt50Ru50合金电极形貌呈现出100-200nm大小的颗粒.常规电化学分析方法得出该电极具有典型的合金特征,对CO和CH3OH具有很好的催化氧化作用.应用电化学现场衰减全反射表面增强红外光谱法(ATR-SEIRAS)可以观察到该电极上Pt位和Ru位上CO的振动谱峰,且表现出Pt-Ru二元金属良好的协同催化性能.