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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Pt/TiO2/poly(vinyl sulfonic acid) Layer-by-Layer Films for Methanol Electrocatalytic Oxidation

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Author(s):
Facci, Tiago [1] ; Parreira, Renato L. T. [1] ; Pereira-da-Silva, Marcelo A. [2, 3] ; Oliveira, Jr., Osvaldo N. [2] ; Huguenin, Fritz [1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Dept Quim, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Fis Sao Carlos, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
[3] UNICEP Ctr Univ Cent Paulista, BR-13563470 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology; v. 9, n. 11, p. 6620-6626, NOV 2009.
Web of Science Citations: 4
Abstract

One major challenge for the widespread application of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) is to decrease the amount of platinum used in the electrodes, which has motivated a search for novel electrodes containing platinum nanoparticles. In this study, platinum nanoparticles were electrodeposited on layer-by-layer (LbL) films from TiO(2) and poly(vinyl sulfonic) (PVS), by immersing the films into a H(2)PtCl(6) solution and applying a 100 mu A current during different electrode position times. Scanning tunnel microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images showed increased platinum particle size and electrode roughness for increasing electrodeposition times. The potentiodynamic profile of the electrodes indicated that oxygen-like species in 0.5 mol L(-1) H(2)SO(4) were formed at less positive potentials for the smallest platinum particles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements confirmed the high reactivity for the water dissociation and the large amount of oxygen-like species adsorbed on the smallest platinum nanoparticles. This high oxophilicity of the smallest nanoparticles was responsible for the electrocatalytic activity of Pt-TiO(2)/PVS systems for methanol electrooxidation, according to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood bifunctional mechanism. Significantly, the approach used here combining platinum electrodeposition and LbL matrices allows one to both control the particle size and optimize methanol electrooxidation, being therefore promising for producing membrane-electrode assemblies of DMFCs. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 05/00106-7 - Self-assembly electroactive materials
Grantee:Fritz Cavalcante Huguenin
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants