(679e) Atomic Layer Deposition for Extended Surface Electrocatalyst Development | AIChE

(679e) Atomic Layer Deposition for Extended Surface Electrocatalyst Development

Authors 

McNeary, W. IV - Presenter, University of Colorado Boulder
Hurst, K., National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Alia, S., National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Mauger, S. A., National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Neyerlin, K. C., National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Ngo, C., Colorado School of Mines
Medlin, J. W., University of Colorado
Weimer, A., University Of Colorado
Pylypenko, S., Colorado School of Mines
Buechler, K. J., ALD NanoSolutions, Inc.
Pivovar, B. S., National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Platinum-nickel nanowires are a promising advanced catalyst material for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cell applications. When synthesized by galvanic displacement of nickel nanowires (NiNWs), these extended surface electrocatalysts have demonstrated activity and durability superior to benchmark carbon-supported Pt catalysts. However, challenges in scale-up and reproducibility of this fabrication process have prompted investigation into atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Pt as a facile, scalable synthesis alternative for the production of Pt-NiNWs. Atomic layer deposition of Pt nanoparticles on NiNW substrate was performed in a packed bed reactor, using trimethyl(methylcyclopentadienyl)platinum(IV) (MeCpPtMe3) as a metal source, and either H2 or O2 for ligand removal. Gases exiting the ALD reactor were monitored via an in-line mass spectrometer, which provided information on reaction mechanisms. Deposition of Pt was confirmed through inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy for a range of ALD cycles; oxidative ALD chemistry was found to yield greater Pt content at high cycle numbers. Transmission electron microscopy and elemental mapping techniques were also used to analyze the morphology and structure of ALD-modified NiNWs. The effects of post-processing treatments, such as H2 annealing and acid leaching, were also studied. Electrochemical performance of ALD-synthesized catalysts in both half-cell and full-cell analyses was found to be comparable to that obtained with galvanic displacement catalysts, thereby demonstrating the efficacy of ALD as a fabrication method for extended thin film electrocatalyst structures.