Platinum nanophase electro catalysts and composite electrodes for hydrogen production

Nanophase Pt electro catalysts were prepared by impregnating a Pt salt containing solution upon a high surface area hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS) matrix, which was then carbonized to varying degree by chemical vapour deposition of liquid petroleum gas (LPG). Thereafter the HMS Si matrix could be removed by chemical etching with NaOH to immediately form a Pt containing carbon analogue or ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) with a porous structure similar to the parent HMS. Nanoparticles of Pt electro catalysts were thus successfully stabilized without agglomeration on both HMS and upon the porous HMS carbon analogue or OMC, which was graphitic in nature. The catalysts were electro active for the hydrogen evolution reaction and their activity compared favourable with an industry standard. Such nanophase Pt electro catalysts could be incorporated successfully in a composite electrode by sequential deposition, upon a suitable substrate and the catalysts in electrodes so formed proved to be stable and active under high-applied potential in high electrolyte environment for hydrogen production by electrolysis of water. This route to preparing a nanophase Pt OMC catalyst may be applicable to prepare active electro catalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells and solid polymer electrolyte electrolyzers.