Oxygen reduction catalytic ability of platinum nanoparticles prepared by room-temperature ionic liquid-sputtering method

Pt nanoparticles can be produced by a Pt sputtering method onto trimethyl-n-propylammonium bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)amide (Me3PrNTf2N) room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) without stabilizing agents. Pt nanoparticles obtained by the Pt sputtering method showed mean particle size of ca. 2.3–2.4 nm independently of sputtering time. A Pt-embedded glassy carbon electrode (Pt-GCE) consisting of the Pt-sputtered RTIL and a glassy carbon plate showed a favorable catalytic activity to oxygen reduction reaction. The catalytic ability was enhanced by Me3PrNTf2N modification of the Pt-GCE. In addition, carbon monoxide never absorbed onto the RTIL-modified Pt-GCE.