Direct electrodeposition of porous platinum honeycomb structures

Honeycomb platinum was electrodeposited from an aqueous solution of K2PtCl4 and H2SO4 in a simple one step procedure using hydrogen bubbles as a dynamic template. SEM studies revealed the structure to consist of interconnecting pores with sizes from 5 to 10 μm, with fine structure consisting of nodules of 100 to 200 nm with sharp extrusions that exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation. The simplicity of the method and the quality of the surfaces prepared suggest applications in catalysis where a convenient method to prepare high surface area platinum in one step is desirable.

► A direct method to deposit a 3D honeycomb Pt structure. ► Pt structure has pore sizes 5 to 10 μm and jagged nanostructure. ► Honeycomb structure shows good activity for methanol oxidation.