2 research outputs found
Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Electrodeposited Pt<sub>100–<i>x</i></sub>Ni<sub><i>x</i></sub>: Influence of Alloy Composition and Dealloying
The electrocatalytic activity of electrodeposited Pt<sub>100–<i>x</i></sub>Ni<sub><i>x</i></sub> thin films toward
the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in perchloric acid was studied
for <i>x</i> ranging between 2 and 95. The alloy composition
was controlled by the potential applied during deposition. XRD and
EDS were used to examine the structure and composition of the films
before and after ORR measurements. Significant dealloying was evident
for films with <i>x</i> > 45, and substantial shrinkage
of the film thickness accompanied dealloying for films with <i>x</i> > 55. The onset of significant shrinkage occurs near
the
parting limit reported for bulk dealloying of fcc solid solutions.
A maximum ORR specific activity of 2.8 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> at 0.900
V RHE was observed for alloys between Pt<sub>45</sub>Ni<sub>55</sub> and Pt<sub>55</sub>Ni<sub>45</sub>. This represents an enhancement
factor of 4.7 compared to electrodeposited Pt, thereby matching the
best published results reported for Pt–Ni nanoparticles and
thin films. A peak ORR mass activity of 0.78 A/mg<sub>Pt</sub> at
0.900 V RHE was observed for alloy film compositions between Pt<sub>38</sub>Ni<sub>62</sub> and Pt<sub>45</sub>Ni<sub>55</sub>. In comparison
to electrodeposited Pt, these films exhibit a 10-fold improvement
in mass activity
Self-Terminated Electrodeposition of Ni, Co, and Fe Ultrathin Films
Self-terminated Fe-group metal (Ni,
Co, Fe) electrodeposition occurs
at potentials negative of the onset of water reduction where OH<sup>–</sup> generation leads to the formation of a blocking hydroxide
monolayer. Quenching of metal deposition is accompanied by an increase
in dissipative energy loss in microbalance experiments attributed
to increased hydrogen bonding to the adjacent double layer. Pulse
deposition at −1.5 V<sub>SSCE</sub> in 5 mmol/L (NiCl<sub>2</sub>, CoCl<sub>2</sub>, FeSO<sub>4</sub>) – 0.1 mol/L NaCl pH
3.0 electrolytes yields fully coalesced ultrathin films of Ni, Co,
Fe, or alloys thereof, on Au. The film thickness is controlled by
the nucleation, growth, and termination dynamics constrained by the
electrochemical cell time constant. Precipitation of bulk NiÂ(OH)<sub>2</sub> and related phases is minimized by using short deposition
times and dilute metal cation concentrations to limit supersaturation.
The rapid deposition of smooth, compact ultrathin Fe, Co, and Ni films
should facilitate mechanistic and durability studies of Fe-group metal
catalysis and the fabrication of emerging microdevices