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Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have attracted considerable attention as distributed power sources for automotive and residential applications. In PEMFCs, platinum (Pt) nanoparticles supported on carbon materials are used as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions. However, improved durability of the electrocatalysts is urgently required for commercialization purposes. We describe an ion implantation technique for the preparation of Pt nanoparticles with superior catalytic properties, suitable for fuel cell applications. The Pt nanoparticles were obtained by implanting a glassy carbon (GC) substrate with 100 keV Pt-ions, followed by electrochemical etching and a heat treatment. Electrochemical measurements of the Pt nanoparticles prepared by the proposed implantation technique demonstrated superior durability when compared to those prepared by the conventional magnetron sputtering method. We suggested that the defective structure of the GC substrate, caused by the Pt-ion implantation, has led to the improved electrochemical stability of the GC substrate and Pt-carbon support interactions, thereby enhancing the durability of our Pt nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements were performed for the C K-edge of Pt nanoparticles on Ar+-irradiated carbon supports in order to elucidate the origin of improved catalyst performance after the introduction of vacancies into the carbon support. We observed a change in the electronic structure at the interface between the Pt nanoparticles and the carbon support after vacancy introduction, which is in good agreement with theoretical results. The results indicated that vacancy introduction resulted in a drastic change in the Pt–C interactions, which likely affected the d-band center of the Pt nanoparticles and led to the enhancement of the oxygen reduction reaction in catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ion beam-induced defects in carbon supports for platinum (Pt) nanoparticles have been found to enhance the catalytic activity. Highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) was irradiated with 380 keV argon ions (Ar + ), and Pt nanoparticles were then deposited on it by a radio frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering method. The Pt nanoparticle size on Ar + -irradiated HOPG and the carbon structure at the interface were investigated by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. The observed size of Pt nanoparticles on the irradiated HOPG was larger than that on the non-irradiated HOPG. Raman spectra indicated that vacancy-like defects were formed on the HOPG surface by Ar + -irradiation at the fluences between 1.0 × 10 12 and 1.0 × 10 13 ions/cm 2 , and sp 3 defects were induced by irradiation more than 5.0 × 10 13 ions/cm 2 . These defective structures on the HOPG would promote the Pt particle growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ion irradiation is well-known as a versatile tool for manipulating the physical, chemical and magnetic properties of carbon materials. Recently, the ion-beam-induced defects in carbon supports for platinum (Pt) nanoparticles have been found to enhance catalytic activity during the oxygen reduction reaction. This finding suggests that the electronic structure of the Pt nanoparticles would be affected by the ion-beam-irradiated carbon support. Raman spectroscopy was performed on the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) following the irradiated with 380 keV argon ions (Ar+) and the deposition of Pt nanoparticles using radio frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering. In this paper, we obtained the phonon correlation length from Raman spectrum, and estimated that approximately three point defects were present at the interface between each 5 nm Pt nanoparticle and the HOPG irradiated with Ar+ at the fluence of 1.0 × 1013 ions/cm2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A glassy carbon (GC) substrate was irradiated with 380 keV argon ions (Ar+), and platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) were then deposited on it by a radio-frequency magnetron sputtering method. The interfacial effect of the Ar+-induced defects in the GC substrate on the size and electronic structure of the Pt NPs was investigated. The irradiation defects in the carbon support promoted the growth of the Pt NPs on the substrate, leading to a larger NP size. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the lattice vacancies in the graphitic structure lowered the position of the Pt d-band center via the interfacial charge transfer. This down-shift in the d-band center would be a reason for the higher catalytic activity, which was reported in our previous research. Highlights • The Pt nanoparticles were deposited on a 380 keV Ar+-irradiated carbon support. • The particle sizes on the irradiated and non-irradiated support were investigated. • A Pt electronic structure was modified by the irradiation defects of the carbon support. • We discussed how the Pt size and electronic structure affected the catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The chemical state and local structure of 2.6-nm-sized platinum (Pt) nanoparticles on an ion-irradiated glassy carbon (GC) substrate were investigated by X-ray absorption fine structure measurements. The partial oxidation of the Pt nanoparticles was confirmed by the peak intensity in the near-edge region of the absorption spectrum. The analysis of the extended region revealed a higher coordination number and shorter bond length of Pt–Pt compared to those of the Pt nanoparticles on the non-ion-irradiated GC. Thus, Pt nanoparticles on the ion-irradiated GC substrate were found to hold a rigid metallic coordination during the oxidation. Highlights • Pt nanoparticles were deposited on a 380 keV Ar+-irradiated carbon support. • The partial oxidation of Pt was confirmed by XANES measurements. • Pt on the irradiated support held a rigid metallic coordination during oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]