Energy related catalysis will become increasingly more important as we transition toward sustainable energy systems. Devices such as direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) will require optimized catalyst structures that improve the overall stability and efficiency of the device. Electrodes composed of pure platinum lack adequate electrocatalytic activity needed for oxidation and reduction reactions in DAFCs. Furthermore, a pure platinum anode is highly susceptible to CO poisoning which further decreases catalyst activity and lifetime. Alloy bimetallic platinum-based nanoparticles (PtxM100-x NPs; where M = Au, Ir, Pd, etc.) have shown excellent catalytic activities for both anodic and cathodic reactions as well as the ability to oxidize surface adsorbed carbonaceous poisons. Synthetic methodologies that allow for intentionally designed structures PtxM100-x with a specified size, composition, and inter-particle spacing are therefore key to advancing energy related catalysis. The synthesis of these catalyst nanostructures can be carried out using well-defined polymer frameworks that selectively retain catalyst precursors. Poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PVP) a polymer bearing pyridine residues is capable of metal-coordination or electrostatic association with metal anions in acidic media. In this work, we explore the synthesis of cross-linked PVP colloids capable of loading with catalyst precursors (ie: PtCl62-, AuCl4-, IrCl62-). PtxM100-x NPs were produced in PVP frameworks by chemical reduction and were analyzed via scanning transmission electron microscopy energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDS). Elemental composition was determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) and electrochemical measurements for electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols were examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV).

Directed synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles using poly(2-vinylpyridine) colloids

249th National Meeting (2015)

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Directed synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles using poly(2-vinylpyridine) colloids<br />