Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Electrodeposited Pt_(100-x)Ni_(x): Influence of Alloy Composition and Dealloying

Published

March 22, 2012

Author(s)

Yihua Y. Liu, Carlos M. Hangarter, Ugo Bertocci, Thomas P. Moffat

Abstract

The electrocatalytic activity of electrodeposited Pt_(100-x)Ni_(x) thin films towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in perchloric acid was studied for x ranging between 2-95. The alloy composition was controlled by the applied potential. XRD and EDS were used to examine the structure and composition of the films before and after ORR measurements. Significant dealloying was evident for films with x > 45 and substantial shrinkage of the film thickness accompanied dealloying for films with x > 55. A maximum ORR specific activity of 2.8 mA/cm^(2) at 0.900 RHE was observed for alloys between Pt_(45)Ni_(55) and Pt_(55)Ni_(45), This represents an enhancement factor of 4.7 compared to electrodeposited Pt thereby matching the best published results reported for Pt-Ni nanoparticles or thin films. A peak ORR mass activity of 0.78 A/mgPt at 0.900 V RHE was observed for alloy film compositions between Pt_(38)Ni_(62) and Pt_(45)Ni_(55). In comparison to electrodeposited Pt, these films exhibit a ten-fold improvement in mass activity.

Citation

Journal of Physical Chemistry C

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

electrocatalyst, electrodeposition, fuel cell, thin film

Citation

Liu, Y. , Hangarter, C. , Bertocci, U. and Moffat, T. (2012), Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Electrodeposited Pt_(100-x)Ni_(x): Influence of Alloy Composition and Dealloying, Journal of Physical Chemistry C (Accessed May 2, 2024)