PdPt catalyst synthesized using a gas aggregation source and magnetron sputtering for fuel cell electrodes

Abstract

PdPt catalysts with different morphologies and atomic ratios have been synthesized on native SiO2/Si and on proton exchange membranes. The combination of the gas aggregation source and magnetron sputtering techniques allows the formation of quasi core-shell Pd0.97Pt0.03@Pt nanoclusters. Transmission electron microscopy and grazing incidence wide-angle x-ray scattering measurements of the Pd-rich core reveal a mean diameter of 4 nm and a face-centered cubic structure. The Pt shell around half of the Pd-rich core is formed by magnetron sputtering, and increases the nanocluster diameter (up to 10 nm) and the overall Pt content (up to 85%). Membranes coated by the PdPt core catalyst and PdPt@Pt catalyst (resulting in the formation of catalyst-coated membranes) are incorporated into fuel cells and their electrical characteristics are measured. The association of the two deposition techniques results in the formation of quasi core-shell PdPt@Pt nanoclusters, improving the start-up step of the fuel cell.