Title: Nanoporous Ptn+–CeOx catalyst films grown on carbon substrates

Authors: V. Matolín; R. Fiala; I. Khalakhan; J. Lavková; M. Václavů; M. Vorokhta

Addresses: Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Surface and Plasma Science, Charles University in Prague, V Holešovičkách 2, 18000 Prague 8, Czech Republic ' Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Surface and Plasma Science, Charles University in Prague, V Holešovičkách 2, 18000 Prague 8, Czech Republic ' Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Surface and Plasma Science, Charles University in Prague, V Holešovičkách 2, 18000 Prague 8, Czech Republic ' Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Surface and Plasma Science, Charles University in Prague, V Holešovičkách 2, 18000 Prague 8, Czech Republic ' Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Surface and Plasma Science, Charles University in Prague, V Holešovičkách 2, 18000 Prague 8, Czech Republic ' Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Surface and Plasma Science, Charles University in Prague, V Holešovičkách 2, 18000 Prague 8, Czech Republic

Abstract: Deposition of the Pt doped cerium oxide catalyst layers on carbon nanotubes and flat carbon substrates by magnetron sputtering leads to growth of solid solution films composed of nanorods oriented perpendicularly to the substrate surface forming fractal like highly porous structure. The films contain only cationic Pt2+ and Pt4+. Cerium oxide is partially reduced. The catalyst films reveal high catalytic activity as anode catalyst in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Preparation of nanoporous structures by sputtering shows that this technique is suitable for preparation of catalyst for micro fuel cell systems made by planar technology.

Keywords: XPS; SEM; carbon nanotubes; CNTs; platinum; cerium oxide; magnetron sputtering; nanotechnology; catalyst films; carbon substrates; proton exchange membrane fuel cells; PEMFC; nanoporous structures; micro fuel cells.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2012.046748

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2012 Vol.9 No.8/9, pp.680 - 694

Published online: 04 May 2012 *

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