Element-saving preparation of an efficient electrode catalyst based on self-assembly of Pt colloid nanoparticles onto an ITO electrodeElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details, TEM, SEM and AFM data. See DOI: 10.1039/c0gc00476f

Citrate-stabilized Pt colloid nanoparticles were self-assembled on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode when it was immersed in a colloid solution at pH 4.0. The preparation technique of an electrode catalyst by the self-assembly of Pt colloid particles takes advantage of the very strong attachment of the colloid particles on the electrode surface due to the chemical interactions, as well as the effective use of Pt without waste, in principle. The Pt colloid-assembled (PCA) electrode performed both stably and effectively during electrocatalysis for proton reduction compared with a conventional Pt thermal-deposited (PTD) electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]