Enhancing Intrinsic Electrocatalytic Activity of Pt/C Nanoparticles for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Acidic Media by Microwave-Assisted Synthesis

Title:Enhancing Intrinsic Electrocatalytic Activity of Pt/C Nanoparticles for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Acidic Media by Microwave-Assisted Synthesis

Volume: 11 Issue: 1

Author(s): Marianela Lopez Romero, Edgar Jesus Borja Arco*, Lorena Magallon Cacho and Jeannete Ramirez Aparicio

Affiliation:

• Department of Theoretical Physics and Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico

Keywords: Microwave synthesis, platinum nanoparticles, electrocatalyst, oxygen reduction, mass activity, cathode, fuel cell.

Abstract:

Abstract: This study is focused on the enhancement of the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity of Pt nanoparticles supported on C (Pt/C NPs) towards Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) in acidic media. The goal was to investigate the effect of microwave-assisted synthesis on the electrocatalytic performance of Pt/C NPs towards ORR. Thus, Pt/C NPs were synthesized using a microwave-assisted method and by a conventional heating method; structural and morphological characteristics were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Electrochemical studies were performed using the rotating disk electrode technique to evaluate the ORR performance. Microwave-assisted syn-thesis produced Pt/C NPs with a smaller particle size (6.3 ± 0.2 nm) than conventionally synthesized nanoparticles (8.6 ± 0.3 nm). Electrochemical analysis showed that the microwave-synthesized Pt/C NPs exhibited higher mass activity (4.6 ± 0.8 mA･g^-1_Pt) for ORR compared to conventionally synthesized nanoparticles (1.9 ± 0.4 mA･mA･^{-1_Pt). These results demonstrate that microwave-assisted synthesis enhances the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity of Pt/C NPs for ORR in acidic media. These findings have important implications for the development of efficient electrocatalysts for fuel cell applications.}

Background: The synthesis and characterization of platinum nanoparticles on C are crucial for advancing electrocatalysis, particularly in the context of potential applications in fuel cells. This study builds on previous research, focusing on two distinct synthesis methods to enhance our understanding of their impact on nanoparticle properties and electrocatalytic performance

Objective: To investigate the synthesis efficiency, structural characteristics, and electrocatalytic activities of platinum nanoparticles on C using microwave-assisted heating and conventional synthesis reactor heating. The objective is to discern any significant differences in particle size, structure, and electrocatalytic performance between the two synthesis methods.

Methods: The synthesis involved a comparative analysis of platinum nanoparticles using microwave-assisted and conventional heating methods. Chemical composition analysis verified the synthesis efficiency, and structural and morphological characterizations were performed using X-ray Diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Electrochemical studies employed the rotating disk electrode technique, with activation and evaluation conducted through cyclic voltammetry, and the oxygen reduction reaction studied via linear sweep voltammetry in an acidic media (0.5 mol⋅L^-1 H₂SO₄).

Results: Well-supported platinum nanoparticles with a face-centered cubic structure were obtained on C using both synthesis methods. However, microwave-synthesized particles (6.3 ± 0.2 nm) exhibited a smaller size compared to conventionally synthesized particles (8.6 ± 0.3 nm). Electrochemical assessment revealed superior mass activity for microwave-synthesized material (4.6 ± 0.8 mA･g^-1Pt), outperforming commercial Pt nanoparticles (3.0 ± 0.3 mA･g^-1_Pt) and conventionally synthesized material (1.9 ± 0.4 mA･mA･g^-1_Pt).

Conclusion: This study concludes that microwave-assisted synthesis yields platinum nanoparticles on C with enhanced electrocatalytic performance, as evidenced by the smaller particle size and superior mass activity compared to conventionally synthesized material and commercial Pt nanoparticles. These findings highlight the potential of microwave-synthesized Pt nanoparticles for applications in fuel cells.

Cite this article as:

Romero Lopez Marianela, Borja Arco Edgar Jesus*, Magallon Cacho Lorena and Ramirez Aparicio Jeannete, Enhancing Intrinsic Electrocatalytic Activity of Pt/C Nanoparticles for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Acidic Media by Microwave-Assisted Synthesis, Current Microwave Chemistry 2024; 11 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0122133356300269240215073712