Preparation of carbon-supported PtNi nanoparticles via the single source molecular precursor approach

• Published in: Journal of the Electrochemical Society 2004, Vol.151 (11), p.A1832-A1835
• Main Authors: DEIVARAJ, T. C, JIM YANG LEE
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysis; Catalysts: preparations and properties; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry
• ISSN: 0013-4651; 1945-7111
• DOI: 10.1149/1.1802135

Carbon-supported PtNi nanoparticles have been prepared from the thermolysis of a single source precursor [(bipy)3Ni](PtCl6). The single source precursor is highly stable under ambient conditions, allowing easy materials handling and storage. The carbonsupported PtNi nanoparticles had a mean diameter of 8.3 nm and were obtained by a two-stage process involving (i) the ballmilling of carbon and the precursor and (ii) the thermal degradation of the homogenized mixture at 550DGC in a flowing H2 /At gas mixture. The carbon-supported bimetallic nanoparticles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray, and transmission electron microscopy. The electro-oxidation of methanol over this catalyst was investigated and benchmarked against a commercial E-TEK Pt/C catalyst. The catalytic activity was higher for this homemade catalyst, which also displayed improved resistance to catalyst deactivation. [Application: direct methanol fuel cells].