Formation of Pt/Pb nanoparticles by electrodeposition and redox replacement cycles on fluorine doped tin oxide glass

A two-stage approach that combines electrodeposition with redox replacement has been used to deposit Pt/Pb nanoparticles on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) glass. The deposition takes place by cycling between the two steps in a single electrolyte bath containing both Pb2+ and Pt2+ ions. In the first step, Pb is electrodeposited on FTO glass at a potential E1 and in the second step, Pt replaces the sacrificial Pb directly on the surface at open circuit conditions until the open circuit potential reaches a value E2. This method allows a quick deposition of Pt/Pb nanoparticles on FTO glass and the effects of E1 and E2 on the Pt/Pb formation and nanoparticle coverage of the surface were studied with SEM and XPS.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Pt/Pb nanoparticles on FTO glass were deposited by electrodeposition and redox replacement. ► Surface coverage and Pt content can be tuned by deposition and redox replacement potentials. ► Potential transients and OCP values affect the coverage and Pt:Pb ratios.