Effect of the Pt precursor on the morphology and catalytic performance of Pt-impregnated on Pd/C for the oxygen reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Abstract

We describe how the morphology and electrocatalytic activity of Pt–Pd with low levels of Pt are dependent on the type of Pt precursor that is used for the impregnation on to Pd/C. When a Pt precursor with a negative charge (H2PtCl6) is used in the preparation medium (Pt–Pd/C–H), its electrostatic interaction with the carbon surface results in some Pt nanoparticles being deposited on the carbon separately from the Pd surface. Due to the absence of such an electrostatic interaction with the Pt(NH3)4Cl2 precursor, more selective deposition of Pt can be achieved on the Pd surface (Pt–Pd/C–N). Depending on the morphology, different electrocatalytic performance in oxygen reduction reaction would be observed. Compared to Pt–Pd/C–H, Pt–Pd/C–N shows 180% (half-cell at 0.9 V) and 160% (unit-cell at 0.8 V) enhanced performance, which is comparable to that on Pt/C. It is believed that the interaction between the Pt and the Pd substrate is more extensive in Pt–Pd/C–N than in Pt–Pd/C–H, and this is responsible for the large difference in the catalytic performances between these two catalysts.