Electrocatalysis

The electrochemical pulse plating of catalytic active platinum nanoparticles on carbon substrates allows the development of an efficient membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). The most important advantages of pulse plating are:  

• Smart adaption of particle size, distribution and metal content
  
• Electrically well connected nanoparticles
  
• CO-deposition of metals

The application of structured carbon substrates such as vertical aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is promising regarding to high efficient, advanced formation of MEAs. The benefits of the vertical aligned MWCNTs are:

• High conductivity and high specific surfaces
• Nanostructured à improve of the gas flow to and from the three phase boundary
• Hydrophobic surface à improve of the water removal

The combination of electrochemical pulse plating and structured carbon materials allows the formation of high catalytic surfaces with a minimum content of metal. Furthermore, the electrochemical pulse plating is a useful method to functionalize structured carbon materials for applications in energy storage or new smart materials.

 

Services offered

 

• Coating with electrochemical active nanoparticles
  
• Electrochemical characterization of catalytic activity