Electrophoretic deposition of the Pt/C nano-powder as a novel approach towards electrochemical CO gas sensing

• The electrophoretic deposition technique (EPD) was employed to deposit Pt/C particles on a non-conductive hydrophobic Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane.
• An organic liquid was used as suspension medium to infiltrate the PTFE membrane, wetting the underlying metallic electrode.
• Crack-free layers were obtained at potential interval of 30–50 V on the PTFE membrane.
• The deposited Pt/C layer was examined as the working electrode of an electrochemical carbon monoxide gas sensing cell.
• Linear scan voltammetry of the fabricated Pt/C electrode revealed clear and reproducible response to CO gas in H2SO4 solution.

In the present study, the electrophoretic deposition technique was successfully employed to deposit Pt/C particles on hydrophobic Polytetrafluoroethylene membranes in non-aqueous media for electrochemical gas sensing applications. Optical microscopy studies showed that uniform crack-free layers were obtained at potential interval of 30–50 V on the non-conductive Polytetrafluoroethylene membrane in appropriate durations. The Pt/C deposit formed at 30 V for 10 min was then electrochemically examined as the working electrode of an electrochemical carbon monoxide gas sensing cell where linear scan voltammetry of the fabricated Pt/C electrode revealed clear and reproducible response to CO gas in H2SO4 solution.