Plasma-liquid synthesized carbon-supported platinum nanoparticles as active electrocatalysts

Background: The preparation of carbon-supported platinum nanoparticles (Pt/C NPs) with excellent catalytic activities can greatly benefit both the fundamental research and industrial applications. However, the ability for rapid Pt/C NPs synthesis and engineering, especially in a simple, green, and controllable manner, remains essentially limited. Methods: Herein, Pt/C NPs were prepared via a microplasma-liquid interaction method from chloroplatinic acid solution and carbon black. Systematic experiments have been performed to investigate the synthesis process. Their catalytic performance was further evaluated via electrochemical reactions and measurements. Significant findings: Results revealed the successful synthesis of Pt/C nanoparticles, where small sized Pt nanoparticles (2 similar to 3.6 nm) were well-dispersed over the carbon black. The formed Pt/C NPs have active electrocatalytic performance, and the electrochemically active surface area (ESA) can be tuned from 28.65 to 78.80 m(2)/g by adjusting the Pt content (3 similar to 10%) through process control. A maximum catalytic activity of 24.23 mA/cm(2) was achieved for methanol oxidation using the Pt/C-10%, better than commercial samples (ESA: 65.13 m(2)/g, MOR: 20.07 mA/cm(2)). Additionally, the Pt/C NPs for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) exhibited small Tafel values in both the acid and alkaline solution. The demonstrated microplasma process is envisaged to be applicable for multiple functional nanomaterials synthesis. (c) 2022 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.