Galvanic exchange platinization reveals laser-inscribed pattern in 3D-LAM-printed steel

Alex G M Litherland,Heidi Piili,Barak D B Aaronson,Lee M Spurway,Frank Marken,Ville-Pekka Matilainen,Michael A O’Connell,Andrew J Wain,Anne Vuorema,Mikko Hovilehto,Sergey N Gordeev

doi:10.1007/s10008-017-3869-8

Abstract

Galvanic exchange involving dissolution of iron and the simultaneous growth of platinum onto 316 L stainless steel was investigated for specimens manufactured by 3D-printing, and the behavior was compared to conventional stainless steel. Novel phenomena associated with the 3D-printed steel, but not conventional steel, reacting in three distinct phases were observed: first, with low platinum loading, a bright etching pattern linked to the laser-manufacturing process is revealed at the steel surface; second, a nanostructured pore pattern with platinum nano-deposits forms; and third, a darker platinum film coating of typically 500-nm thickness forms and then peels off the steel surface with further platinum growth underneath. Unlike the conventional steel (and mainly due to residual porosity), 3D-printed steel supports well-adhered platinum films for potential application in electrocatalysis, as demonstrated for alkaline methanol oxidation.Graphical abstractᅟ

Highlights

Three-dimensional printing, invented around 30 years ago, is still a method in its infancy in terms of delivering novel research materials [1]
The surface of 3D-printed steel is typically covered with a protective oxide layer, but this can be breached in aqueous HCl media, resulting in hydrogen evolution or metal dissolution and/or deposition processes
We have shown that 3D-printed steel surfaces are readily modified with platinum catalysts in a simple galvanic exchange process [12]

Summary

Introduction

Three-dimensional printing, invented around 30 years ago, is still a method in its infancy in terms of delivering novel research materials [1]. The surface of 3D-printed steel is typically covered with a protective oxide layer, but this can be breached in aqueous HCl media, resulting in hydrogen evolution or metal dissolution and/or deposition processes.

Results

Conclusion