Gelatin biotemplated platinum aerogels

Abstract

ABSTRACTHere gelatin biotemplated platinum aerogels were prepared from gelatin hydrogels equilibrated in K2PtCl4solutions ranging from 1-250 mM and reduced with sodium borohydride before supercritical drying in liquid CO2. Scanning electron microscopy revealed an average ligament diameter of 40.6 ± 9.7 nm and a pore size range of ∼10 – 200 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis correlated the ratio of metal content to biotemplate mass as a function of equilibrated platinum ion solution, and X-ray diffractometry indicated platinum metal with no detectable oxide phases. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicated a specific capacitance of 1.92 F/g, with a corresponding specific electrochemical accessible surface area of 6.39 m2/g. Cyclic voltammetry performed in H2SO4demonstrated biotemplated platinum aerogel potential for catalytic and energy storage applications.