Physical and electrochemical characterizations of microwave-assisted polyol preparation of carbon-supported PtRu nanoparticles

PtRu nanoparticles supported on Vulcan XC-72 carbon and carbon nanotubes were prepared by a microwave-assisted polyol process. The catalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The PtRu nanoparticles, which were uniformly dispersed on carbon, were 2-6 nm in diameter. All PtRu/C catalysts prepared as such displayed the characteristic diffraction peaks of a Pt face-centered cubic structure, excepting that the 2theta values were shifted to slightly higher values. XPS analysis revealed that the catalysts contained mostly Pt(0) and Ru(0), with traces of Pt(II), Pt(IV), and Ru(IV). The electro-oxidation of methanol was studied by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, and chronoamperometry. It was found that both PtRu/C catalysts had high and more durable electrocatalytic activities for methanol oxidation than a comparative Pt/C catalyst. Preliminary data from a direct methanol fuel cell single stack test cell using the Vulcan-carbon-supported PtRu alloy as the anode catalyst showed high power density.     

Amphiphilic block copolymer-stabilized PtRu nanoparticles highly dispersed on multi-walled carbon nanotube for methanol oxidation

We report a one-pot synthesis of amphiphilic block copolymer-stabilized PtRu nanoparticle modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using RuCl(3)·xH(2)O and H(2)PtCl(6)·6H(2)O as ruthenium and platinum sources, and block copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) as stabilizer agent. PtRu alloyed nanoparticles with an average diameter of 4.6nm are well decorated homogeneously on the exterior surfaces of the MWCNTs. The electrochemical catalytic activity for methanol oxidation of PtRu/MWCNTs and commercial PtRu/C (E-TEK) is comparatively investigated using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. It is revealed that the PtRu nanoparticle modified MWCNT samples display an enhanced electrochemical catalytic activity than commercial PtRu/C electrode. These results show that PtRu nanoparticles may find applications to fuel cells.     

PMo12-functionalized Graphene nanosheet-supported PtRu nanocatalysts for methanol electro-oxidation

Graphene nanosheets, synthesized by a modified Hummers method, have been functionalized by PMo₁₂, and used as the supports of the PtRu nanoparticles. The electrocatalytic properties of the resultant nanocatalysts (PtRu/PMo₁₂-Graphene) for methanol electro-oxidation have been evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The micrograph and the elemental composition have also been investigated by transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results suggest that the addition of PMo₁₂ benefits the high dispersion of graphene nanosheets in the water and the uniform dispersion of the PtRu nanoparticles on the graphene nanosheets, and the PtRu/PMo₁₂-Graphene catalysts have higher electrocatalytic activity and better electrochemical stability for methanol oxidation compared to the PtRu/Graphene catalysts.     

促进型PtMoSi/C催化剂的制备、表征及电催化活性

采用甲醛还原、H2还原、肼还原三种方法制备了添加硅钼酸的PtMoSi/C阳极催化剂, 并用XRD、XPS和TEM技术对催化剂进行了表征. XRD表明Pt粒子呈立方面心晶态结构, TEM显示PtMoSi/C催化剂粒径小(3−4 nm), 分布窄, 分散性好. XPS分析可知Pt主要以0价, Mo主要以6价, Si主要以4价形态存在于催化剂中. 同时通过循环伏安法和线性扫描法考察了制备方法和添加硅钼酸对催化剂电化学活性的影响. 结果表明, 甲醛还原法制备的PtMoSi/C催化剂(Pt、Mo的原子比为3:1)对甲醇氧化的电化学性能和抗中毒性能优于自制的PtRu/C和E-TEK PtRu/C催化剂, 可能是因为添加硅钼酸可以使活性组分的分散度提高, 从而提高了催化剂的活性和抗毒性能.     

pH值对微波协助乙二醇法制备PtRu/C催化剂的影响

以微波协助乙二醇工艺合成了碳负载不同粒径大小的PtRu/C纳米催化剂, 主要考察了溶液pH值对PtRu粒子大小的影响. 利用紫外可见光谱、能量散射X射线谱、透射电镜和X射线衍射谱对PtRu纳米催化剂进行了表征. 结果表明, pH值是一个对PtRu粒子大小有着重要影响的因素. TEM结果显示随着溶液pH值的增加, PtRu粒径从3.5 nm减小到1.5 nm. 当溶液pH值达到11.0时, 由于金属粒子被保护, 合成的催化剂中金属载量明显减少. 溶液pH 值在9.0 右合成的PtRu/C催化剂具有适宜粒径(2.4 nm)和均匀分布的金属颗粒, 具有最好的甲醇电氧化活性.     

Nanostructure PtRu/MWNTs as anode catalysts prepared in a vacuum for direct methanol oxidation

Platinum and ruthenium nanoparticles that are uniformly dispersed on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were synthesized by vacuum pyrolysis using Pt(acac)2 and Ru(acac)3 as the metal precursors. The resulting nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The Pt, Pt45Ru55, and Ru nanoparticles had mean diameters of 3.0 +/- 0.6, 2.7 +/- 0.6, and 2.5 +/- 0.4 nm and the same mole number as their metal precursors at 500 degrees C. The electrocatalytic activity of the Pt/MWNTs and PtRu/MWNTs was investigated at room temperature by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. All of the electrochemical results showed that the PtRu/MWNTs exhibited a high level of catalytic activity for methanol oxidation as a result of the large surface area of the supporting carbon nanotubes and the wide dispersion of the Pt and Ru nanoparticles. Compared with the Pt/MWNTs, the onset potential for methanol oxidation of the PtRu/MWNTs was significantly lower, and the ratio of the forward anodic peak current to the reverse anodic peak current during methanol oxidation was somewhat higher. The Pt45Ru55/MWNTs displayed the best electrocatalytic activity of all of the carbon-nanotube-supported Pt and PtRu catalysts.     

Heat-induced alterations in the surface population of metal sites in bimetallic nanoparticles

The ability to alter the surface population of metal sites in bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) is of great interest in the context of heterogeneous catalysis. Here, we report findings of surface alterations of Pt and Ru metallic sites in bimetallic carbon-supported (PtRu/C) NPs that were induced by employing a controlled thermal-treatment strategy. The thermal-treatment procedure was designed in such a way that the particle size of the initial NPs was not altered and only the surface population of Pt and Ru was changed, thus allowing us to deduce structural information independent of particle-size effects. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was utilized to deduce the structural parameters that can provide information on atomic distribution and/or extent of alloying as well as the surface population of Pt and Ru in PtRu/C NPs. The PtRu/C catalyst sample was obtained from Johnson Matthey, and first the as-received catalyst was reduced in 2 % H2 and 98 % Ar gas mixture at 300 degrees C for 4 h (PtRu/C as-reduced). Later this sample was subjected to thermal treatment in either oxygen (PtRu/C-O2-300) or hydrogen (PtRu/C-H2-350). The XAS results reveal that when the as-reduced PtRu/C catalyst was exposed to the O2 thermal-treatment strategy, a considerable amount of Ru was moved to the catalyst surface. In contrast, the H2 thermal-treatment strategy led to a higher population of Pt on the PtRu/C surface. Characterization of the heat-treated PtRu/C samples by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy reveals that there is no significant change in the particle size of thermally treated samples when compared to the as-received PtRu/C sample. The electrochemical properties of the as-reduced and heat-treated PtRu/C catalyst samples were confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, CO-adsorption stripping voltammetry, and linear sweep voltammetry. Both XAS and electrochemical investigations concluded that the PtRu/C-H2-350 sample exhibits significant enhancement in reactivity toward methanol oxidation as a result of the increased surface population of the Pt when compared to the PtRu/C-O2-300 and PtRu/C as-reduced samples.     

Chitosan‐Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes as Support for the High Dispersion of PtRu Nanoparticles and their Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Methanol

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were non‐covalently functionalized with chitosan (Chit) and then employed as the support for PtRu nanoparticles. The functionalization was carried out at room temperature without the use of corrosive acids, thereby preserving the integrity and the electronic conductivity of the CNTs. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that PtRu nanoparticles were highly dispersed on the surface of Chit‐functionalized CNTs (CNT‐Chit) with small particle‐size. Cyclic voltammetry studies indicated that the PtRu nanoparticle/CNT‐Chit nanohybrids have a higher electrochemical surface area, electrocatalytic performance, and stability towards methanol oxidation compared to PtRu nanoparticles supported on the pristine CNTs.     

以切短多壁碳纳米管为载体制备高活性Pt/SCNT及PtRu/SCNT燃料电池催化剂

采用乙醇为助磨剂,利用球磨的方法将5-15μm长的多壁碳纳米管切短成长度约为200nm,并且分布较为均匀的短碳纳米管(SCNT).以SCNT为载体,采用有机溶胶法制得了含铂20%(w)的Pt/SCNT及PtRu/SCNT催化剂.实验发现:对于甲醇的阳极电氧化过程,以切短碳纳米管为载体的Pt/SCNT催化剂具有比相同条件制得的Pt/CNT催化剂高得多的催化活性,前者甲醇氧化峰电流密度是后者的1.4倍,并且远远高于商品的Pt/C催化剂.同时我们发现添加了钌的PtRu/SCNT具有比不含钌的催化剂更好的活性.采用X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电镜(TEM)、比表面积分析(BET)等方法对催化剂进行表征,结果表明,切短碳纳米管的晶相结构并未改变,但Pt/SCNT和PtRu/SCNT催化剂的比表面积和电化学活性得到了显著的提高.     

PtRu catalysts supported on heteropolyacid and chitosan functionalized carbon nanotubes for methanol oxidation reaction of fuel cells

A simple self-assembly approach has been developed to functionalize carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with chitosan (CS) and heteropolyacids (HPAs) of phosphomolybdic acid (H(3)PMo(12)O(40), HPMo) and phosphotungstic acid (H(3)PW(12)O(40), HPW). The non-covalent functionalization method, which introduces homogenous surface functional groups with no detrimental effect on graphene structures of CNTs, can be carried out at room temperature without the use of corrosive acids. The PtRu nanoparticles supported on HPAs-CS-CNTs have a uniform distribution and much smaller size as compared to those of the PtRu nanoparticles supported on conventional acid treated CNTs (PtRu/AO-CNTs). The onset and peak potentials for CO(ad) oxidation on PtRu/HPAs-CS-CNTs catalysts are more negative than those on PtRu/AO-CNTs, indicating that HPAs facilitate the electro-oxidation of CO. The PtRu/HPMo-CS-CNTs catalyst has a higher electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation and higher tolerance toward CO poisoning than PtRu/HPW-CS-CNTs. The better electrocatalytic enhancement of HPMo on the PtRu/HPAs-CS-CNTs catalyst is most likely related to the fact that molybdenum-containing HPAs such as HPMo have more labile terminal oxygen to provide additional active oxygen sites while accelerating the CO and methanol oxidation in a similar way to that of Ru in the PtRu binary alloy system.     

Preparation and characterization of long-lived anode catalyst for direct methanol fuel cells

Entry of direct methanol fuel cells into the market requires anode catalyst with stable activity. This paper presents a novel method for stabilizing the activity by immobilizing silica on the catalytic PtRu nanoparticles. Characterization was performed by STEM-EDX, XRD, and ICP. The silica-immobilized PtRu nanoparticles showed high and stable activity toward methanol oxidation. The activity was maintained for 1000 h in sulfuric acidic solution, while the activity of the catalyst with "bare" PtRu nanoparticles decayed after 100 h, showing high durability of the silica-immobilized PtRu nanoparticles catalyst in quasi-anodic acidic environment.     

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.     

Synthesis of PtRu nanoparticles from the hydrosilylation reaction and application as catalyst for direct methanol fuel cell

Nanosized Pt, PtRu, and Ru particles were prepared by a novel process, the hydrosilylation reaction. The hydrosilylation reaction is an effective method of preparation not only for Pt particles but also for other metal colloids, such as Ru. Vulcan XC-72 was selected as catalyst support for Pt, PtRu, and Ru colloids, and TEM investigations showed nanoscale particles and narrow size distribution for both supported and unsupported metals. All Pt and Pt-rich catalysts showed the X-ray diffraction pattern of a face-centered cubic (fcc) crystal structure, whereas the Ru and Ru-rich alloys were more typical of a hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structure. As evidenced by XPS, most Pt and Ru atoms in the nanoparticles were zerovalent, except a trace of oxidation-state metals. The electrooxidation of liquid methanol on these catalysts was investigated at room temperature by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results concluded that some alloy catalysts showed higher catalytic activities and better CO tolerance than the Pt-only catalyst; Pt56Ru44/C have displayed the best electrocatalytic performance among all carbon-supported catalysts.     

Multiwalled carbon nanotube supported PtRu for the anode of direct methanol fuel cells

The activity of the methanol oxidation reaction of a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-supported PtRu catalyst was investigated and compared with the Vulcan XC-72 carbon-supported catalyst. The PtRu nanoparticles with 1:1 and 7:3 atomic ratios (with similar PtRu loadings and morphological structures) were deposited both on the MWCNTs and on the carbon. Cyclicvoltammetry results demonstrated that the MWCNT-supported PtRu catalyst exhibited a higher mass activity (mA mg(-1) of PtRu) for the methanol oxidation reaction than the carbon-supported PtRu under the condition that both catalysts possess more or less the same PtRu loadings, particle sizes, dispersions, and electrochemical surface area. The direct methanol fuel cell performance test data showed that MWCNT-supported PtRu catalysts yielded about 35-39% higher power densities than the carbon-supported PtRu.     

Wormholelike mesoporous carbon supported Pt Ru catalysts toward methanol electrooxidation

Wormholelike mesoporous carbons(WMCs) with three different pore diameters(D_p),namely WMC-F7(D_p=8.5nm),WMC-F30(D_p=4.4nm),and WMC-FO(D_p = 3.1nm) are prepared via a modified sol-gel process.Then PtRu nanoparticles with the particle size(d_(Pt)) of ~3.2 nm supported on WMCs are synthesized with a modified pulse microwave-assisted polyol method.It is found that the pore diameter of WMCs plays an important role in the electrochemical activity of PtRu toward alcohol electrooxidation reaction.PtRu/WMC-F7 with Dp 2d_(Pt) exhibits the largest electrochemical surface area(ESA) and the highest activity toward methanol electrooxidation.With the decrease in D_p,PtRu/WMC-F30 and PtRu/WMC-FO have much lower ESA and electrochemical activity,especially for the isopropanol electrooxidation with a larger molecular size.When D_p is more than twice d_(Pt),the mass transfer of reactants and electrolyte are easier,and thus more PtRu nanoparticles can be utilized and the catalysts activity can be enhanced.     

Fast preparation of PtRu catalysts supported on carbon nanofibers by the microwave-polyol method and their application to fuel cells

PtRu alloy nanoparticles (24 +/- 1 wt %, Ru/Pt atomic ratios = 0.91-0.97) supported on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were prepared within a few minutes by using a microwave-polyol method. Three types of CNFs with very different surface structures, such as platelet, herringbone, and tubular ones, were used as new carbon supports. The dependence of particles sizes and electrochemical properties on the structures of CNFs was examined. It was found that the methanol fuel cell activities of PtRu/CNF catalysts were in the order of platelet > tubular > herringbone. The methanol fuel cell activities of PtRu/CNFs measured at 60 degrees C were 1.7-3.0 times higher than that of a standard PtRu (29 wt %, Ru/Pt atomic ratio = 0.92) catalyst loaded on carbon black (Vulcan XC72R) support. The best electrocatalytic activity was obtained for the platelet CNF, which is characterized by its edge surface and high graphitization degree.     

Thin films of Ag nanoparticles prepared from the reduction of AgI nanoparticles in self-assembled films

A novel method for the preparation of thin films of Ag nanoparticles is reported. Using mercaptoacetic acid as the stabilizing agent, AgI nanoparticles were prepared in aqueous solution. And based on electrostatic interactions, the thiol-passivated AgI nanoparticles were assembled in a self-assembled film by alternative deposition with a cationic polyelectrolyte. Then the AgI nanoparticles in the composite film were reduced by NaBH(4), which resulted in the formation of a thin film of Ag nanoparticles. UV-visible spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data confirmed the transformation from AgI to Ag. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the formed Ag nanoparticles distributed on the film homogeneously. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) measurement indicated that the prepared thin films could be used as effective SERS substrates. The reduction process was also carried out by UV light at selective surface regions, which resulted in the formation of patterned nanoparticle arrays.     

氢氧化镁纳米片的合成及其润滑性能的研究

以硫酸镁和氢氧化钠为原料,油酸为表面修饰剂,采用原位合成的方法制备出了疏水性的Mg(OH2)纳米片.研究了反应温度、反应物浓度等因素对氢氧化镁纳米片平均粒径的影响.用X-射线粉末衍射(XRD)、红外(IR)和热重(DTA-TGA)及扫描电子显微镜(SEM),对制备出的Mg(OH)2纳米片的结构和形貌进行了表征,证实制备出的Mg(OH)2纳米片具有良好分散性,纳米片尺度为200～300nm,厚度10nm.摩擦实验证明Mg(OH2)纳米片可以作为润滑油中的添加剂来应用.     

具有高活性和突出的抗中毒性能的Pt修饰Ru/C催化剂的制备和表征(英文)

采用两步浸渍-还原法制备了一种具有高Pt利用效率,高性能的Pt修饰的Ru/C催化剂(Ru@Pt/C).对于甲醇的阳极氧化反应,该催化剂的单位质量铂的催化活性分别为Pt/C、自制PtRu/C和商业JMPtRu/C催化剂的1.9、1.5和1.4倍;其电化学活性比表面积分别为Pt/C和自制PtRu/C的1.6和1.3倍.尤为重要的是该催化剂对甲醇氧化中间体具有很好的去除能力,其正向扫描的氧化峰的峰电流密度(If)与反向扫描氧化峰的峰电流密度(Ib)之比可高达2.4,为Pt/C催化剂的If/Ib的2.7倍,表明催化剂具有很好的抗甲醇氧化中间体毒化的能力.另外,Ru@Pt/C催化剂的稳定性也高于Pt/C、自制PtRu/C和商业JMPtRu/C催化剂的稳定性.采用X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电镜(TEM)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)对催化剂进行了表征,Pt在Ru表面的包覆结构得到了印证.Ru@Pt/C的高铂利用效率、高性能和高抗毒能力使其有望成为一种理想的直接甲醇燃料电池电催化剂.     

微流控合成高活性甲醇氧化碳载铂钌电催化剂

报道了一种以微流控技术制备对甲醇具有高效电氧化催化活性的碳载PtRu催化剂(PtRu/C)的方法。 通过改变反应液在微流控反应器中的流速,得到了一系列纳米粒径分布在1.4~2.0 nm范围内的PtRu/C催化剂。 对这些催化剂进行电化学测试发现,当反应液以90 μL/min的流速流经微流控反应器时制得的催化剂具有最高催化活性。 进一步研究发现,这是由于在该流速制得的催化剂具有较大的电化学活性面积和较高含量的Pt(0)。 该种制备催化剂的方法在能源转化和环境领域有望被广泛使用。