Catalytic activity of electrically deposited platinum nanoparticle catalysts on graphite nanofibers

Carbon materials-supported platinum (Pt) nanoclusters were prepared by an electrochemical deposition by controlling an applied potential to a potential of Pt reduction. Pt nanoparticles were successfully deposited on carbon-supported electrodes by electrochemical deposition methods. The average size and loading level of Pt particles increased gradually with increase of potential sweep times. The electroactivity of Pt catalyst electrodes showed a highest performance at 18 sweep times. The catalyst showed the particle size of 3.73 nm and loading level of 9%. It was thought that excessive sweep time brought the decay of electroactivity due to the larger particle size and degraded particle dispersion. In this case the particle had become a large size of 8.94 nm. As a result, the electroactivities of Pt catalyst were dependent on the preparation condition of electrochemical deposition methods.