Characterization of Platinum Nanoparticle Electrocatalysts Supported On Graphene Sheets

This research addresses the development of a model electrocatalyst of platinum nanoparticles on a graphene support structure in order to study substrate-electrocatalyst interactions in important reactions like the limiting fuel cell oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and to better understand support stability. Graphene is a two-dimensional crystalline structure with high electron mobility and mechanical strength made up of a single layer of carbon atoms. In this research, nanoparticles of platinum are deposited on synthesized graphene sheets by exploiting modified published methods for both graphene and platinum nanoparticle synthesis. The non-platinized synthesized graphene is examined and characterized using Raman spectroscopy, and platinum nanoparticle size and distribution are characterized by microscopy techniques. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on these electrodes is studied using voltammetry and thin-film rotating disc electrode techniques. The results of these tests are compared to data obtained using commercial carbon-supported platinum nanoparticle electrocatalyst. This poster describes our research goals and approach, and presents our results and findings to date.