Precipitation and calcination synthesis methods forming nano-sized platinum catalytic particles for methanol and hydrogen oxidation

S Naidoo, Q Naidoo, E Musil, V Linkov and G Vaivars

Abstract

Under varying experimental conditions of calcination and precipitation reactions, different particle sizes and levels of platinum on carbon supported (Pt/C) catalysts were obtained. Rapid precipitation following a chemical reaction ensured formation of nano-sized catalytic particles using super-saturated concentrations under controlled conditions was a significant contribution in understanding the synthesis process and how it relates to an increased number of catalytic reaction sites ultimately providing superior electrochemical (EC) activity. These conditions influenced nucleation and growth rates of the catalytic particles. The super-saturation concentrations of the reactants in the reaction vessel played a direct role in producing the desired morphology of the crystallites