화학공학소재연구정보센터
Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A, Vol.27, No.4, 826-830, 2009
Characterization of platinum catalyst supported on carbon nanoballs prepared by solution plasma processing
In order to improve the energy-conversion efficiency in fuel cells, the authors loaded Pt nanoparticles on carbon nanoballs (CNBs) by using solution plasma processing (SPP) involving CNB and Pt ion with a protection group. In this study, we employed poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to prepare Pt nanoparticles supported on CNB (Pt/CNB) by the SPP, and the electrochemical properties as a catalyst was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. The carbon nanoballs were prepared by thermal decomposition process of ethylene and hydrogen gases. Color of the solution changed from yellow to dark brown as synthesis time. This change indicates the improvement of dispersibility of CNB. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy images and elemental mapping images showed the Pt nanoparticles supported on CNB. A catalytic activity of the Pt/CNB in use of SDS was shown to be higher than the Pt/CNB prepared with PVP system. The SDS-containing Pt/CNB also showed the higher activity than that obtained by the conventional method.