Investigation of High Catalyteal Durability for Porous Pt Films Deposited via Magnetron Sputtering

Abstract

Porous Pt thin films were prepared on carbon papers by a single-step ultra-high dc magnetron sputtering method to obtain ideal electrodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The platinum loading of the electrocatalyst layer is controlled at about 0.1 mg·cm⁻². Structural characteristics and catalytic activities of the films were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, and stress durability testing methods. The effect of treatment conditions of a substrate on the structural and performance characteristics of the catalytic films was shown as well. Films produced on acid-treated carbon papers at the argon pressure of 0.01 mbar possessed a homogeneous, highly developed surface along with a porous structure. Compared to Pt/TCPW(Toray carbon papers soaked in ultrapure water) electrodes, the film obtained on the acid-treated substrate had a larger electrochemical surface area (163.33 m²·g⁻¹) and exhibited better catalytic stability and durability due to a porous structure as a result of Pt particle accumulation.

Keywords

dc magnetron sputtering / catalytic films / catalytic stability / durability