Pulse electrodeposition of platinum catalyst using different pulse current waveforms

The effects of waveform and other associated parameters on the pulse current electrodeposition of platinum electrocatalysts for use in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells were investigated. Using microsecond pulses with ramp-down waveforms yielded well dispersed, high surface area nanoparticles of 2–3 nm diameter, which, when incorporated into fuel cell membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs), resulted in fuel cell performance comparable with commercial MEAs that employed ten times as much platinum loading.

► Pulse deposition using a ramp-down waveform creates Pt particles of 2–3 nm diameter;
► These electrodes exhibit higher catalytic activity compared with commercial ones;
► Pulse electrodeposited catalysts yield a more uniform, well-dispersed nanoparticles
► This novel method has potential for fabricating MEAs with ultralow catalyst loading.